Showcase L: Gynecology and Obstetrics

1. Following the 16th-century Amboise Paré
speculum, an iron prototype: c. 1850, for
Allingham’s speculum.
Similar Roman speculums were found in
Pompeii, where they were used for repositioning
metroptosis (uterine cervix prolapse) and
cauterization of bleeding lesions (squamous
cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix). This
practice was abandoned during the following
millennium, as looking into the vagina was
considered more immoral than failing to cure
and save women. Consequently thousands of
women died from this type of cancer due to
pious modesty that prevented their diagnosis
and treatment, all in the name of “morality.”
2. Vaginal speculum: c. 1890, made of wood,
so that patients would not experience a cold
sensation.
3. Sims-Gutman vaginal speculum, c. 1900.
John Marion Sims (1813–1883) was the first
physician in modern times to look into the
vagina to diagnose and cure. This is an
improved version of his original large pewter
spoon that he bent and used as a speculum.
4. Cauterization instrument set, c. 1800.
5. Two obstetrical forceps for delivering
children: on the left, the first delivery forceps
was designed by Chamberlens in the early
1600s. To protect their invention, they kept the
blades (arms) separate and only assembled
them in secret during deliveries. They
blindfolded patients or cleared the room before
using the forceps. The parts were transported
in a lined box or special case, never allowing
others to see the full instrument.

The forceps were passed down within the
family for over 100 years without publishing
or sharing the design, ensuring that no other
physicians or midwives could copy them.
They were covered with leather, making them
impossible to clean.
On the right: Busch’s forceps, c. 1793.
6. On the right, fetus destruction instruments:
Murphy’s cranioclast and Simpson’s
perforator: c. 1850.
7. Roman crotchet: c. 50, bronze, used to induce abortion..