The Pilgrims are often credited as bringing phlebotomy to the United States in the 18th century. It was common at this time to use lancets that were fired into veins at multiple locations, withdrawing up to four pints of blood. Over time, other instruments were developed in an effort to improve the technique. Bloodletting was a popular service for almost one hundred years, although it went out of fashion as many handful incidents came to light. A famous example is the treatment of George Washington, who died in 1799 after receiving a treatment that took nine pints of blood.
