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 can be opened and closed by pulling the button at the base of the handles. The blade would then be moved into position by sliding the frame up or down the central shaft. It is held away from the body of the cervix by a strong spring which when released pushes the cutting edge of the blade into the cervix. The blade can then be rotated to resect circumferentially, using the pincer arms as a solid surface against which to cut. This instrument would have been used to remove the cervix in the cases of cervical cancer.

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 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).

An 20th century obstetric model of a baby made from chamois leather and used for teaching purposes. The body has an attached umbilical cord and placenta. The head has landmark features (mouth, nose, eye sockets, anterior and posterior fontanelles) which can be identified by palpation. Student doctors and midwives would be asked to feel the baby's head within an artificial pelvis (i.e. out of view) and would be expected to identify the type of presentation.

Contraception

Ramses Rings for fitting Diaphragms

Diaphragm fitting rings which were used as trial sizes to check for comfort and fit before a CAP was prescribed. Each of the orange rubber rings is marked Ramses with a trademark encircled "R" and with the size of the ring in mm. The box is marked "Ramses TM. Reg. US & Can Pat. Off. Fitting Rings". An attractive vintage piece set in a "Deco style" bakelite box which displays beautifully.

An antique contraceptive device dating to 1926. In 1920 Walter Pust of Jena University developed this contraceptive devices (preceding the Gräfenberg ring which was in use from 1928). It initially consisted of a glass button, and later as in this example an iodine impregnated celluloid cap (signed Dr Pust), to which was attached silk windings and a second coil made from nylon or silk. It did not prevent normal periods and was designed to be changed every 3 to 4 months. They were not that successful and were associated with frequent infection and expulsion. The box comes with its two original instruction leaflets in German.

This pessary circa 1930-1950 made from aluminium measuring (25 x 20 mm) would have been inserted in the cervical canal for use as a contraceptive. They were frequently expelled and this device has a hole in the dome section through which a suture could be sewn to keep it in place. In theory they would be changed monthly but in practice they were not and the resulting infections meant that they fell from favour after the 1950s

Feeding

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.

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, finely engraved and delicately turned ivory nipple shield, probably dating to the end of the 19th century. In perfect condition. Dimensions 51mm circumference x 31 mm high.

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

18th C Dubois Unplated Forceps (Montpellier)

Hamon's "Retroceps" by Mathieu circa 1860. The left blade can be rotated and is anchored in position within the German silver handle by a fixed pin which fits into one of 4 holes in the steel disk at the proximal end of the blade. The right blade does not rotate but and be abducted or adducted by loosening or tightening the screw on the right of the handle. Fine quality and a very rare instrument. See Kedarnath Das Obstetric Forceps page 411 which illustrates this very model by Matthieu

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.

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"

These are rare obstetric forceps in two respects. Mattei forceps (1853), sometimes called Leniceps (the soft forceps) as documented in Das and Hibbard are among the seldom seen group of forceps with transverse handles. The blades are short and have a single cranial curve which fits around the head and can be adjusted to one of three positions using mortices on the handle. The advantages were the small size "enabling accoucheurs to use it without the knowledge of the patient" and also the lack of compression of the foetal head when pulled. It was relatively easy to apply force through the handle, but less easy to apply leverage. The second unusual feature is that the handles are made from horn.

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 gilt and ivory four blade vaginal speculum signed by Robert and Collin. A very high quality instrument with delicately engraved carving to the ivory handle. This instrument has seen plenty of service but remains in perfect working order. This folding four blade of speculum was first introduced in 1840 by Ricord and Robert and Collin were instrument makers in the 2nd half of the 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. Introduced in 1839

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.