Archives: Obs & Gynae

A fine O&G instrument set by G Schmid Stuttgard in its original velvet lined leather bag. Three rare vaginal specula, Ferguson's with internal mirror finish, Ricord's bi-valve with ebony handles  and a tri-valve Segala and introducer (the last two are signed Charriere). Also a lovely bakelite monaural stethoscope, an ebony and ivory blunt hook, a Simpson's perforator and rubber handled Obs forceps (the perforator and forceps are signed Wickert [Munchen]). There is an original folded chemists prescription by Dr Hiller, dated 1st Feb 1886 with two sachets containing their original powdered camphor (which was often laced with opium).

A Philippe Ricord modified folding vaginal speculum. If you had to rave about a speculum - this would be the one. Superb build quality. The beautiful crosshatched ebony handles handles fold parallel with the blades. When opened they lock solidly as the blue tempered steel latches click reassuringly into place ... just as they did over 160 years ago. A very fine and rare speculum.

A rare Nelson's three way vaginal speculum with nicely fluted ebony handles. The expansion of the blades is limited by a retaining screw. The plating is in very good condition throughout. There is no attributable mark a similar instrument by Hernstein of New

Philippe Ricord's modified bi-valve vaginal speculum with intricately crosshatched ebony handles. The speculum expands at both ends around a fixed joint. A retaining screw with graduated markings limits the expansion of the blades. Unsigned and dated to approx 1840. In excellent condition.

Braun's Trephine Perforator

A very rare 19th century silver plated 4 blade vaginal speculum. I have not been able to identify in the literature. It is marked Maw Son and Thompson. It works on a similar principle to the Graves speculum but the two small extra blades take their leverage from the main blades. A retaining screw to fixes the blades in an open position. In excellent condition with a <1mm bubble under the silver plate at the tip of one of the blades.

An uncommon instrument of foetal destruction. This was used to perform a craniotomy on the foetus as the preliminary process in collapsing the skull which would allow subsequent extraction. The instrument had a pelvic curve allowing the crown to be placed over the head. Turning the handle whilst applying pressure rotated the cutting edge of the crown, effectively trephining the skull. In excellent condition throughout, noting some old corrosion at the base of the crown, mild wear to the plating in parts (see pictures) and a few minor scratches at the base of the handle. 445mm x 60mm at its widest part. Wt 0.6kg

When the baby's head was larger than the available space in the birth canal, labour would become obstructed, often resulting in the death of both mother and baby. This instrument was used to crush the foetal skull so as to allow extraction the foetus. The long heavy handles applied enormous pressure to the skull and when it collapsed the serrated blades supplied the traction necessary to remove it. The handles are made from ebony and the instrument is in remarkable condition with hardly any signs of corrosion. Marked by the maker's name Savigny & Co dating it to the mid 19th century.

This instrument was used to facilitate removal of the foetus after an obstructed labour. The sharp point would pierce the foetal skull and closure of the handle would macerate the skull bones which when eventually removed would allow passage of the rest of the body. Marked by the maker's name Maw London.

A device which prior to the caesarian section was a lifesaving procedure for a mother in obstructed labour. Similar in function to the Simpson's perforator but with a "snapcatch" handle lock which ensured that the pointed ends stayed firmly together while entering the skull. Marked with the makers name "Cizek & Hajsl"

A fine 19th Century French instrument with a beautifully fluted ebony handle. This is an extremely rare piece and I have not yet come across any formal documentation of its exact function. A rotating mechanism at the base of the stem allows the two distal prongs to be separated, probably though the os cervix so as to dilate the uterus.

A very rare instrument from early 20th C use to decapitate the foetus in obstructed labour. The wire saw is passed behind the foetal head using the thimble. The maternal structures are protected from the saw by a rubber sheath. Handles are then attached to both ends and the blade is pulled through the foetal neck. A complete set with a second blade, two handles and a thimble. Both handles and thimble are signed Lewis Bros London. Excellent condition.

This 19th century amniotomy instrument is beautifully made with a crosshatched ebony and carved ivory handle. The body has a similar  appearance to a normal uterine sound. However, pressure on the thumb piece pushes a spring loaded sharp pointed trocar 2 cm from the distal end. This instrument would have been used to puncture the amniotic sac so as to induce labour.

A remarkable 19th Century piece of engineering. Pressure applied to the two bladed handle causes the three blades of this uterine dilator to expand evenly. Once the required aperture had been obtained the position can be fixed by means of a  screw.

A similar device to the Sims' uterine dilator but with a scissor handle grip. Two bladed uterine dilators are not uncommon but the three bladed variety are hard to come  by. The mechanism works perfectly.

This Graves bi-valve nickel plated brass vaginal speculum is in remarkable condition for a 100  year old instrument. The plating is in virtually 'as new' condition. There are two screw adjusters, one for varying the height of the second blade (effectively varying the size of the speculum) and the other for fixing the aperture. Marked "PATD APRIL 1891".

A rare large French Obstetric Atlas by F.J  Moreau (Paris). 60 stunning, high quality black and white full page single sided plates detail the female pelvis and anatomy and illustrate normal and forceps assisted delivery. The original boards with blunted corners have been retained and pasted and the spine has been sympathetically rebound. The inner board papers have been replaced. A few trivial peripheral tears to the legend pages only, but the plates themselves are in excellent condition. In the latter section there is there is minor peripheral water damage extending for 2cm which does not extend to the drawings or frames. 43 x 34 cm

A 14K solid gold "Wishbone" Intra-Cervical contraceptive device. Dating from the 1920s they ranged from the rare quality gold product to inferior devices made from plastics and metals. If not changed monthly they tended to get infected and American physicians often removed them from immigrant women for this reason.  Dr. Graffenberg's Intra-Uterine Ring was initially discouraged because of confusion with these problematic Intra-Cervical Devices.

This instrument dates to 1880 and was used to dilate the cervix in labour. As the wing nut was turned the dilation of the cervix could be measured on the scale. It never caught on is it would often cause the cervix to tear. The piece is in mint condition and is a very fine example. The Italian maker's mark on the screw handle is Guiseppe Opezzo

A rare set dilators which use a screw mechanism to dilate the cervix. These are usually smooth (see pics) and this is the only set I have seen of this kind. It consists of 5 graduated dilators which are attached by a locking mechanism to an introducer. In excellent condition with virtually no wear to the nickel plating. The case is in embossed leather, lined with blue velvet and silk and marked "Meyer and Meltzer 71 Great Portland St W" (who were in business from 1871). Dimensions 7 x 2.7 x 31 cm

An exceptionally rare instrument which was used to dismember and or decapitate foetuses in the event of obstructed labour. The Instrument comes in 2 parts. The hook section would be positioned behind the neck or the obstructing limb. With the second part connected and secured a Gigli like saw was threaded through the hollow instrument using metal tape. Handles were attached to the metal tape and pulling to and fro would saw through the obstructing part. Dr Alban Ribemont was Parisian obstetrician in the late 19th Century.

An unusual instrument of foetal destruction called a 'Trachellorhektor' invented by Zweifel, a 19th century obstetrician from Leipzig. The folded hooks were positioned around the back of the foetal neck and the handles turned apart through 180 degrees causing the cervical spine to fracture so as to allow an easier delivery. In its folded state it would probably have been used like a single blunt hook to facilitate delivery in obstructed labour by pulling down foetal limbs. In excellent condition noting slight loss of the plating and early oxidation (see pictures).

An uncommon 19th century instrument of foetal destruction. This remarkable piece of equipment served a multitude of functions. The heavy outer forceps blades could be used as a cranioclast to crush the foetal head in the event of obstructed labour. This would first require the skull to be collapsed, and the central pointed perforator could perform this task in addition to being used as a secondary grip to pull extract the foetal parts piecemeal. In fact the instrument was rarely used as it was impractical.

Holme's Perforator (Downs London)

A rare obstetric instrument used to perforate the foetal skull in cases of obstructive labour. The screw shaped point was rotated with pressure against the skull so to drill through the periostium. Once the cranium had been perforated the knife would cut away the relatively soft bone allowing complete collapse of the cranium and delivery of the foetus. Fully functional and in excellent condition but with some loss of the plating. The steel handle which operates the knife is nicely crosshatched. There is no makers mark. 34 cm x 6 cm

The group of instruments known as perforators were used as a last resort in obstructed labour. A life saving procedure (for the mother) involving the extraction of the foetus by collapsing the skull. The joint mechanism allowed the point to be opened within the skull by pushing the handles together, which allowed more force to be applied than would be possible by pulling them apart. The second half of the blade was truncated allowing a single perforating point. (Other perforators required various locking mechanisms). A very rare example in superb condition with beautifully carved and cross-hatched ebony handles and two small areas of corrosion in in keeping with its age (mid 19th century). Marked Downs London.

This 19th century serrated curette is documented as being used for the enucleation of myomas or the removal of cancerous growths in the uterus. It was also used as a 'last resort' for the piecemeal removal of a foetus following obstructed labour. (See reference to 'Embryotomy Spoon O-53' in the the Yale Medical Library). The instrument is in excellent condition. The handle is made from cross-hatched ebony and the stem is marked E. Hernstein.

A 19th Century obstetric hook for pulling out a foetal abortus after obstructed labour. The larger skull bones may have required breaking and removing piecemeal with a perforator so as to allow passage of the trunk and limbs through the birth canal in order to save the mothers life.

A device which prior to the caesarian section was a lifesaving procedure for a mother in obstructed labour. Similar in function to the Simpson's perforator but with a "snapcatch" handle lock which ensured that the pointed ends stayed firmly together while entering the skull. In excellent condition as shown. There is no makers mark.

Nineteenth Century (1831) Obstetric Forceps made by Norie of Glasgow. Lovely old forceps with no pelvic curve in keeping with their age. The wooden handles have a lovely patina. Excellent condition for an old instrument with a tiny hairline crack on the joint (seen in photos) of no structural significance.

An 19th century perforator similar in style but probably earlier than the Simpson's perforator. However it has scissor handles with no locking mechanism and shorter blades which are convex in shape. It is made from unplated steel and is in good condition through out with only superficial oxidation. It comes with its original chamois leather pouch.

A nice example of a Blot's perforator with a fixed point which allowed easier initial perforation of the foetal skull. The initial perforation would be enlarged by applying pressure on the sprung handle which would open the blades. The perforated skull would then be easier to collapse so as to facilitate extraction of the foetus from the womb. All metal with a spiral design on the handle. Unsigned and in excellent condition

Similar in both appearance and function to the Auvard's basiotribe this rare instrument of foetal destruction comes in its original case signed O. Creuzan (Bordeaux). The instrument was intended to be used to both perforate the skull, collapse and extract it in the event of obstructed labour. In practice it was too cumbersome and clumsy an instrument to find mainstream use.

Extremely Rare Hamon's "Retroceps" in factory unfinished condition. As documented in Kedanarth Das' "Obstetric Forceps" but these are bespoke, having lockable folding blades. I am only aware of two existing pairs of Hamon's forceps which are in themselves rare, but I have never seen or heard of a similar example to these, which are likely to be one of a kind.

Bedford's Forceps by Tieman

Tarnier Traction Forceps by Collin Brevier

Bedford's birthing forceps with ebony handles and finger holes on either side by Tieman. George Tiemann's American Armamentarium Chirugicum on Page 63 in Appendix three says: "Tiemann is spelled alternately with one or two n's suggesting either that he did not settle on a correct version until after 1830 (similar discrepancies occur in city directories of the period), or that subcontractors misspelled his name". This suggests that this type of mark is more likely to have been made closer to the 1830s, although the misspelling of Tiemann by a subcontractor could of course have occurred at any time and this seem just as likely.

An unusual set of Tarnier traction forceps. These have an attached handle by which a second operator can apply force to deliver the baby's head. In excellent condition.

Dr Walker's Obstetric forceps

Based on the Chapman forceps, in turn a modification the oldest examples of obstetrics forceps in existence,  the Chamberlen forceps. "a forceps of somewhat similar pattern (to Chapman) but having a different kind of lock may well have been the instrument employed by Dr Walker (?1740), the last survivor of Dr Peter Chamberlen's obstetric progeny". Note the lack of pelvic curve. A similar pair are in the Edinburgh Obstetric Museum as reference on P 108 of Das' "Obstetric Forceps"