Obstetrics and Gynaecology:

General

A rare 19th Century instrument of ebony, steel and silver by Charriere. The intricate mechanism is built to the highest standard. The pincer blades anchor the body of the cervix and the main blade then rotates to resect circumferentially, using the pincer arms as a solid surface against which to cut.

A most unusual breast pump whose cups are made from Pewter (which I have never seen before). Inscribed on the brass syringe "Weedon - maker - 41 Hart Street  Bloomsbury Square London". Weedon traded at this address from 1830 to 1856. The syringe attaches by screwing onto the suction cups. The set is complete in the original red velvet lined mahogany box and the cups retain their original worn leather seals.

A 19th century haemostasis set which would have been taken by an obstetrician or physician attending deliveries and used to prevent post partum haemorrhage. It contains three vials marked Liq Opii, Liq Ergotoe and one unmarked vial. All three retain their original contents. The stoppers are secure and I have not tried hard to remove them. In the main section of the case at one end there is a minims container graduated with markings 10 through 60 "Drops". At the other end there is silk braided suture. In the lid section there is a needle, a probe, scissors and an unmarked but unquestionably silver telescopic female catheter. The case is signed Walters and Co London, who I have not been able to trace. There is a similar set in the Wellcome Medical Museum in London.

A Duffin's pessary beautifully carved from elephant ivory which has characteristic grain and a mellow patina. This would have been used for prolapses. The cup section would be inserted in the vagina so as to prevent downward movement of the prolapsed uterus. The lower part of the pessary would be extra-vaginal and this would have been held in place with a leather strap. The pessary dissembles into cup (5x5 cm), stem, securing ring and base (7 x 3 cm) the assembled piece is 7 cm high

Ramses Rings for fitting Diaphragms

A delightful and very rare late 18th / early 19th century French sterling silver stork forceps. Probably not for use by a midwife for putting on the umbilical cord post delivery (a function which is commonly attributed to them), but more likely used to thread ribbons in baby garments, which were removed for washing. There is a snake entwined around the stork's neck 'Asclepius' style. Another rather nice touch is the cocooned baby on the inside of the stork's stomach only visible when the scissors are opened. There is no hallmark, but they are made from solid silver (tested).

Diaphragm fitting rings which were used as trial sizes, testing for comfort and fit before a CAP was prescribed. A very attractive vintage piece set in a "Deco style" bakelite box which displays beautifully

An unmarked solid silver nipple shield. In very good condition, noting a small barely visible repair next to one of the lower perforations. Dating to the late 19th century.  Measures 60 x 27 mm.

A rare ivory nipple shield carved from a single piece of ivory. A small and superficial hairline crack does not extend to both surfaces. Dating to the late 19th century or turn of the 20th century.  Measures 62 x 28 mm.

A nicely turned treen nipple shield carved from a single piece of fruitwood. In excellent condition and dating to the late 19th century or turn of the 20th century.  Measures 56 x 30 mm.

Obstetric Forceps

Rare Hamon's Forceps

18th C Dubois Unplated Forceps (Montpellier)

Rare Hamon's "Retroceps" by Mariaud (Paris). 1864. The blades are secured by a german silver handle which allows one of the forcep blades to be rotated and the other to be abducted. When suitably positioned the force from the obstetricians grip is transmitted to the back of the baby's head.

A pair of mid to late 18th C forceps made from unplated steel and with a pelvic curve, marked "BORDEAUX AINÉ A MONTPELLIER". These were of the Levret type as modified by Dubois. A French screw locking mechanism secures the two blades. The handles have attractive and characteristic crosshatching. The ends of the handles were also be used as blunt hooks and unscrew to reveal points which could have been used as destructive instruments to collapse the foetal skull in the event of arrested labour.

Obstetric Vectis with Ebony Handles

Pajot Collapsible forceps 1866

A rare 19th C obstetric vectis used to facilitate obstructed and delay labour in a similar way to forceps, but because there was only the one blade they were often referred to as "Levers". It has a fine solid crosshatch ebony handle handle and the metalwork is in excellent condition. Signed "W.E.FORD.NY"

Rare. Beautiful. Das quotes "Long forceps of the Levret type with modified handles and blades" ..."the extremity of the left handle turns up exposing a sharp perforator" and more. "Pajot's jointed forceps resemble Charriere's but have at one extremity of the handle a blunt hook, at the other a thread of silk terminated by a leaden ball for the purpose of embryotomy, as recommended by the inventor" and .... "Pajot realised the forceps were too long and attempted to make them less cumbersome. To solve the problem he had the branches folded. Other authors had the same idea but were not successful in producing an instrument rigid enough to be useful"

Specula

Dr Protheroe Smith's Speculum Uteri

A fine silver plated vaginal speculum marked "Dr Protheroe Smith's Speculum Uteri" and under this "Ferguson, Maker".  Protheroe Smith was a renowned London obstetrician in the early 19th Century. The speculum comes with an ebony obturator and has two tubes; the outer one is fenestrated to as to allow visualisation and instrumentation of the vaginal wall. It is housed in a fitted leather silk lined case which is marked on the lid "Dr De Damscanx Spa". On the floor of the case the label reads "21 Giltspur Street, Smithfield London. Ferguson, Surgeon's Instrument Maker to St Bartholamews Hospital"

A fine French folding gilt and ivory four blade vaginal speculum signed by Robert and Collin. A very high quality instrument which has seen service but remains in perfect working order. Early to mid 19th Century.

A Charriere tri-valve vaginal speculum, sometimes referred to as a Segala type speculum. The three blades collapse to form an oval shape which accommodates the obturator. The speculum would be inserted in this form, then pressure applied to the handles would expand the blades enough to remove the obturator and the hinged blades would be further extended into a circular configuration and locked in place. Signed Luer. The speculum is made from ebony with an ivory insert in the handle. Mid to late 19th Century.

Tri-Valve Vaginal Speculum by Zorn NY

Destructive Instruments

Simpson's Perforator (late 19th C)

Braxton-Hicks Cephalotribe - mid 1800s

Conquest Cranioclast - Weiss (1820s)

A rare example of the Conquest Cranioclast by Weiss London. This is marked with a crown and the letters GR, (George Rex or King George IV) dating it to 1820-1830. The insides of the heavy spoon shaped blades are fitted with spikes and holes made from tempered blue steel. The handles are made from ebony in an early 19th century style.