Curette, flushing, Rheinstadter, steel, European, late 19th century

Samples from the uterus, vagina or rectum are taken using a curette. This is done to diagnose diseases such as cancer. The curette consists of a long hollow shaft ending in a small spoon-shaped scoop. This was passed into the uterus and a sample scraped from the uterine wall. The instrument’s design has changed little over time. It is still used.