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Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Bossi's uterine dilator, for rapid dilation of cervix, nickel-plated metal, possibly French, possibly English, c. 1900
The cervix is the neck of the uterus. Dilation of the cervix enables instruments to be introduced into the uterus for therapy or diagnosis. Dilating means to stretch or open up. It was itself believed therapeutic in some conditions. Cervical dilators were also used during childbirth. Towards the end of the 1800s, some obstetricians began using more forceful methods of inducing the process. This four-pronged expanding dilator for the cervix is one example of this approach.
Details
- Category:
- Surgery
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A612229
- Materials:
- steel (nickel-plated)
- Measurements:
-
overall: 48 mm x 357 mm x 38 mm, 0.65kg
- type:
- uterine dilator
- credit:
- Loan, Wellcome Trust
