{"product_id":"antique-19th-glass-apothecary-leech-jar","title":"Antique 19th Glass Apothecary Leech Jar","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFREE UK \u0026amp; WORLDWIDE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA Nice Small Antique 19th Handblown Glass Apothecary Leech Jar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example of a leech jar is a smaller version of the more elaborate porcelain jars of period pharmacies from which the leeches would be transferred. Small jars, such as this one, were provided by the pharmacist to hold the purchased leeches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLeeches were used extensively in nineteenth-century medicine for bloodletting, a practice believed to cure virtually any ailment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe practice was commonly carried out by surgeons and barber-surgeons. Although the bloodletting was often recommended by physicians, it would be carried out by barbers. The red-and-white-striped pole of the barbershop, still in use today, is derived from this practice: the red symbolizes blood while the white symbolizes the bandages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore surgery or at the onset of childbirth, leeches were used to remove blood to prevent inflammation. Likewise, before amputation, it was customary to remove a quantity of blood equal to the amount believed to circulate in the limb that was to be removed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere were also theories that bloodletting would cure “heartsickness” and “heartbreak”.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese also look particularly nice with small plant cuttings in for propagation 🌱\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition is good, commensurate with age and use. Structurally sound. No chips or cracks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeasures 7cm x 8cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeighs 99.21 grams\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/source-vintage.co.uk\/policies\/shipping-policy\" title=\"Shipping\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan face=\".SF UI\"\u003eSHIPPING\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/source-vintage.co.uk\/policies\/refund-policy\" title=\"Returns\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan face=\".SF UI\"\u003eRETURNS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Source Vintage","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40621885915172,"sku":"","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0259\/1729\/2580\/products\/image_34889ffe-6d67-4d59-8985-192605245a91.heic?v=1679059013","url":"https:\/\/folkandfableantiques.com\/products\/antique-19th-glass-apothecary-leech-jar","provider":"Folk \u0026 Fable Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}