in Surgery, the operation of applying the cucurbita or cupping-glass. The flame of a spirit lamp having been introduced momentarily into the glass in order to expel the greater portion of the air by dilatation, the glass is to be immediately applied to the skin; when, in consequence of the partial vacuum produced by the cooling and contraction of the included air, the part of the body operated upon will be drawn up forcibly into the glass, and on its removal will exhibit a red and swollen appearance in consequence of the propulsion of blood into the small vessels. This operation is termed dry cupping. When it is desired to extract blood, an instrument called a *scarificator* is employed to make incisions in the part so operated upon; after which, when the glass is applied to the part as before, a considerable quantity of blood may be drawn off at once. The scarificator consists of ten or twelve lancets so adjusted within a case, that, by means of a spring and trigger, the whole are discharged and withdrawn with instantaneous quickness through slits in the plane surface of the case, and thus make a series of regular incisions in the part to which the instrument is applied. Cupping, when skilfully performed, is not a very painful operation.