Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Scalprum

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Rich, Anthony (1849). The illustrated companion to the Latin dictionary, and Greek lexicon. p. vi. OCLC 894670115. https://archive.org/details/illustratedcompa00rich. 

SCAL'PRUM (σμίλη, κολαπτήρ). A sharp, cutting instrument, employed by artists and mechanics for a variety of purposes, and belonging to the class which we denominate chisels or celts (Isidor. Orig. xix. 19. 13.); that is, which are driven with a mallet, or, when applied for cutting are thrust from the person using them, instead of being drawn towards him; though the name was also given to several other instruments ordinarily used for cutting, as explained in the subsequent paragraphs.

1. Scalprum fabrile. A common chisel, driven by a mallet (Liv. xxvii. 49. malleo adactum) of the same description with those still in use, as shown by the annexed examples (Scalprum/1.1), both from originals in the British museum; the left hand one being formed to receive a wooden handle, like those used by carpenters, the other entirely of metal, like those used by stone-masons.

2. A leather-cutter's, or shoe-maker's knife (Hor. Sat. ii. 3. 106. Jul. Pollux, vii. 83.); of the same form as those used for similar purposes in our own times, as shown by the annexed example (Scalprum/2.1), from an original found at Pompeii.

3. An instrument employed by surgeons (Jul. Poll. iv. 181. x. 141.) for opening wounds, and cutting away parts of the diseased flesh (Celsus, viii. 3. and 4.); for which purpose the annexed example (Scalprum/3.1), from an original found in a surgeon's shop at Pompeii, is supposed by medical men to have been intended.

4. A pen-knife; used by the transcribers and copyists (librarii) in the employ of private individuals or of booksellers, for tempering the reed pen (arundo, calamus), with which an ancient MS. was written. (Tac. Ann. v. 8. Suet. Vitell. 2.) The example (Scalprum/4.1) is from an original excavated at Rome; the handle is of bone, into which the blade is made to shut, precisely in the same manner as now practised.

5. A particular part of the vinedresser's pruning hook (falx vinitoria) situated between the sinus and the rostrum, as will be understood by referring to the article and illustration at p. 274 s. FALX, 5. Columell. iv. 25. 1. Plin. H. N. xvii. 26.

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  Scalprum/1.1
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  Scalprum/2.1
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  Scalprum/3.1
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  Scalprum/4.1