A hooked tool resembling a fishhook at the end of an ice pick. It was inserted into the eye socket between the eyeball and bone, then twisted so the hook caught the optic nerve. The device was then removed, taking with it the eyeball and ripping the muscles and nerves. It was one of the tools used during the Inquisition to obtain confessions (such as of the practice of Witchcraft) from people.
Readers, please enjoy this guest blog post by Sandra Kynes, author of several books, including The Herb Gardener's Essential Guide, Plant Magic, and the new Witches' Encyclopedia of Magical Plants, among many others.
Although a few old books...