the world of gayeSPECULATING ON SPECULUMS
April 2nd 2009 08:53
This started out to be an amusing blog about odd museums, but I came across one musuem in particular and I couldn't stop looking at the exhibits and then reading all about them. It was fascinating, interesting and disturbing all at the same time. If you dread your next pap smear, or you think childbirth nowadays is hard, spare a thought for the women that went before us. Some of this is pretty brutal but it is enthralling.
The name of this instrument was Haighton's forceps from about 1790. Previous to the knowledge of sterile instruments, medical devices were laquered to stop the rust. Tape was tied around the narrow end to bind the arms together and prevent slippage !!
This instrument was known as a Bossi's cervical dilator from 1880. Used during labour to dilate the cervix, a wing nut was turned to expand the arms outward . Apparently it never quite caught on because of it's tendency to tear the cervix. OUCH
This was called a Fillet. The loop was made from horse hair and shellacked and was usually looped under the babys chin to drag it into the birthing position.
The next instrument I found was a Duffin's ivory pessary from 1890. This was used for prolapses and the cup section was inserted into the vagina to prevent the downward movement of the uterus. The lower part sat outside the vagina and was held in place by a leather strap.
The next two instruments I found really disturbing and very brutal. The first is among a number of different versions I found and is known as a Perforator. These were used as a last resort often to save the mothers life. The tip was inserted into the foetus's skull and then the skull was collapsed so the foetus could be removed. It's hard to believe that this really happened.
The next is the most horrific one in my opinion, in fact I had trouble imagining anyone using it. It was known as a Blond-Heidler decapitation saw. This was used to decapitate the foetus during obstructed labour. The wire saw was placed behind the baby's head using a thimble, handles are then attached to both ends and the blade is pushed through the baby's neck. What a barbaric act. It's unbelievable what people endured.
There was so much more of interest, including other areas of medicine. I will definately be having another look and learning more about the procedures from the past.
The name of this instrument was Haighton's forceps from about 1790. Previous to the knowledge of sterile instruments, medical devices were laquered to stop the rust. Tape was tied around the narrow end to bind the arms together and prevent slippage !!
This instrument was known as a Bossi's cervical dilator from 1880. Used during labour to dilate the cervix, a wing nut was turned to expand the arms outward . Apparently it never quite caught on because of it's tendency to tear the cervix. OUCH
This was called a Fillet. The loop was made from horse hair and shellacked and was usually looped under the babys chin to drag it into the birthing position.
The next instrument I found was a Duffin's ivory pessary from 1890. This was used for prolapses and the cup section was inserted into the vagina to prevent the downward movement of the uterus. The lower part sat outside the vagina and was held in place by a leather strap.
The next two instruments I found really disturbing and very brutal. The first is among a number of different versions I found and is known as a Perforator. These were used as a last resort often to save the mothers life. The tip was inserted into the foetus's skull and then the skull was collapsed so the foetus could be removed. It's hard to believe that this really happened.
The next is the most horrific one in my opinion, in fact I had trouble imagining anyone using it. It was known as a Blond-Heidler decapitation saw. This was used to decapitate the foetus during obstructed labour. The wire saw was placed behind the baby's head using a thimble, handles are then attached to both ends and the blade is pushed through the baby's neck. What a barbaric act. It's unbelievable what people endured.
There was so much more of interest, including other areas of medicine. I will definately be having another look and learning more about the procedures from the past.
| 36 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train