The Spanish tickler (or cat's paw) is a type of torture instrument, consisting of long, sharp iron spikes curved so as to resemble claws. It was often attached to a handle, or else used as an extension of the torturer's hand. In this way it was used to rip and tear flesh away from the bone, from any part of the body.
The Spanish Tickler (or the Cat’s Paw) is a torture device so sharp and cleverly designed, bones and flesh will not get in its way. The Cat’s Paw was a 3 pronged device that shredded through human flesh. The Spanish Tickler was a 4 pronged device very similar to the Cat's Paw. This device was commonly used on thieves and unfaithful wives. Most who were tortured in this manner died not at the time, but afterwards. Especially with the Cat’s Paw, the device would cause infections as the device would cut so deep. The prongs were nearly never washed, so the chances of these infections were very high. Often the device was placed on the end of a long stick, and torn down the persons back (although it was not limited to the back) as they were hung up by the wrists.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
http://www.medieval-castles.org/index.php/the_cat_s_paw_torture_device
