Counter Irritation Device

19th century

This long ebony and ivory instrument is known as The Lebenswecker or "Awakener of Life". The cap to the instrument protects about thirty steel needles which punctured the skin causing inflammation or irritation. Afterwards oil would be applied to the wounds. Counter irritation is an old technique but was popularized in the nineteenth century by the Prussian Carl Baunscheidt and his Lebenswecker.