scarificator

A scarificator is a surgical instrument used historically for scarification. Scarification is a procedure involving superficial incisions made into the skin. This practice was historically employed for various therapeutic or ritualistic purposes, often believed to draw out illness or evil spirits, or to mark significant life events. The scarificator itself typically featured multiple sharp blades, often arranged in a row or a circular pattern, which could be rapidly deployed to create numerous small cuts with a single action. Different designs existed, varying in the number and sharpness of the blades. The instrument was often spring-loaded or operated by a striking mechanism to ensure quick and consistent incision depth. While the practice of scarification has largely fallen out of favor in modern medicine, replaced by more effective and less invasive treatments, the scarificator stands as a historical artifact representing ancient medical and cultural practices. Its use is primarily of academic and historical interest today.