A fleam, also flem, flew, flue, fleame, or phleam, was a handheld instrument used for bloodletting. This name for handheld venipuncture devices first appears in Anglo-Saxon manuscripts around 1000. [1] . The name is most likely derived from phlebotome: phlebos, Greek for blood vessel and tome, meaning to cut. [2] .

Apr 13, 2025 · The meaning of FLEAM is a sharp lancet formerly used for bloodletting.

Jan 13, 2025 · A fleam, also known as flem, flew, flue, fleame, or phelam, was a handheld instrument used for bloodletting. The earliest reference to a handheld device for drawing blood appears in A.D. 1,000 Anglo-Saxon manuscripts. The word phelam came from the Greek phlebotome: phelbos (Greek for blood vessel) and tome (to cut).

The fleam is perhaps easiest-to-find bloodletting antique. These devices have one or more blades at right angles to the handle. The most common form is a brass case containing 2 or 3 steel blades, often stamped with a makers name (figure 8).

The fleam is perhaps easiest-to-find blood-letting antique. These devices have one or more blades at right angles to the handle. The most common form is a brass case containing 2 or 3 steel blades, often stamped with a makers name.

What does the noun fleam mean? There are two meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun fleam . See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

Mar 6, 2025 · Blood was usually taken from the forearm or neck using a special tool with a fixed blade called a fleam.Bloodletting was practiced by physicians, professional leechers and cuppers, and priests and monks. In 1163, however, a church edict banned monks and priests from performing the procedure.

Define fleam. fleam synonyms, fleam pronunciation, fleam translation, English dictionary definition of fleam. n archaic a lancet used for letting blood Collins English Dictionary – Complete and …

May 30, 2012 · In medieval Europe, bloodletting became the standard treatment for various conditions, from plague and smallpox to epilepsy and gout. Practitioners typically nicked veins or arteries in the forearm...

Among our collection of yesteryear’s medical oddities, the Maple Ridge Museum displays a fleam, otherwise known as a bloodletting knife. Today, advancements in medical science have proven that the practice of bloodletting was almost always doing more harm than good, and we question how doctors of the past could have ever thought otherwise.