Crude cupping glass dating from the seventeenth century. Cupping procedures were historically used in medicine up until the late nineteenth century. A vacuum would be created within the cupping vessel using a heated flame (dry cupping). Wet cupping involves the use of the vacuum to suck blood out of the surface of the skin through wounds created with blades or scarificators (bloodletting). It was believed that removal of excess humours (bodily fluids) was beneficial and was used to 'treat' a wild range of ailments.