Uterine and anal pessaries were in use from the early 1900s onwards. The size and shape of the pessary varied greatly, and the variation of the original Hodges pessary is evident in many catalogues over a period of sixty years. Celluloid appliances were made in many different colours (ie. blue, pink, white, yellow). The use of celluloid gradually decreased during the late 1960s.Yellow celluloid (plastic) pessary. intrauterine device

This device was used for the treatment of procidentia (severe utero-vaginal prolapse). Cotton tape would be attached via the holes at the distal end of the instrument and tied around the waist to hold the pessary in position.The usually enlarged cervix would sit in the inserted cup. The vagina and the uterus were returned to the anatomically correct position. The instrument would be removed for cleaning approximately every three months. Women deemed to be a severe surgical risk were the beneficiaries of this treatment.Black vulcanite pessary. Consists of an oval cup attached to a stem. The stem is slightly curved and ends in a bulb. There are four holes at base of cup, and similarly on the bulb of the stem. intrauterine device, pessary

Black vulcanite pessary. Seen vertically the object resembles a horseshoe. The front section of the cradle is much thicker than the moulded curve of the pessary. Label, typed "GALABIN'S ANTEVERSION PESSARY" and tag with string "Galabin's ante/version/ pessary".intrauterine device, pessary

The wings of the pessary are controlled by two small hinges and the screw at the base of the metal stem. These wings can be opened or closed by turning the screw clockwise or anticlockwise.Zwanke's intrauterine stem pessary. Consists of two black vulcanite wings, a stem, and a screw. Each wing has a 2cm hole in it. Wings are divided by two small metal screws and at the base of each wing are three metal studs. Stem is made up of three curved metal prongs. Screw is made of bone.intrauterine device, pessary

Ring and stem pessary. Black vulcanite pessary with cup and stem. Stem is slightly curved with ring at top. Stem forked at end into two prongs with holes, possible to aid drainage. Typed label with catalogue record, "RING PESSARY" and tag with string "Ring Pessary".intrauterine device, pessary

Both uterine and anal pessaries were in use from the early part of the 1900s. This particular type of pessary was in general use from the 1960s to the mid 1970s.Hodges-style intrauterine pessary with three cross bars.intrauterine device

Uterine and anal pessaries were in use from the early 1900s onwards. The size and shape of the pessary varied greatly, and the variation of the original Hodges pessary is evident in many catalogues over a period of sixty years. Celluloid appliances were made in many different colours (ie. blue, pink, white, yellow). The use of celluloid gradually decreased during the late 1960s.Hodges -style intrauterine pessary, made of black vulcanite.intrauterine device

Uterine and anal pessaries were in use from the early 1900s onwards. The size and shape of the pessary varied greatly, and the variation of the original Hodges pessary is evident in many catalogues over a period of sixty years.Black vulcanite pessary divided at one end, leaving a gap of approximately 1.5cm.intrauterine device

This device was used for the treatment of procidentia (severe utero-vaginal prolapse). Cotton tape would be attached via the holes at the distal end of the instrument and tied around the waist to hold the pessary in position. The usually enlarged cervix would sit in the inserted cup. The vagina and the uterus were returned to the anatomically correct position. The instrument would be removed for cleaning approximately every three months. Women deemed to be a severe surgical risk were the beneficiaries of this treatment.Black vulcanite pessary. Consists of an oval cup attached to a stem. The stem is slightly curved and ends in a bulb. There are three small holes inside a small depression at the base of the cup, and two holes on each side of the bulb of the stem.intrauterine device, pessary

Part of the collection of Dr Frank Forster.Pessary, medium size. Clear plastic pessary consisting of three sections moulded together including a flange with elevated ring, stem and bulb. A hole extends right through the centre of the device.intrauterine device, pessary

Part of the collection of Dr Frank Forster.Uterine stem pessary. Pessary is made of copper coated lead with upper oval shaped bulb. Bulb of the pessary is made of copper and oval has a small hole in the top centre. The upper part of the stem is made of copper and the lower section is made of lead and tapers to a blunt end. On the upper outer right side on the bulb is the figure "6".intrauterine device, pessary

Uterine and anal pessaries were in use in the early 1900s. Both size and shape of the pessary varied considerably. Pessaries were often round ('ring' pessaries) or irregular shape, depending on the maker. The name of the pessarty was usually that of the inventor.Pessary. Intra-uterine contraceptive device, consisting of red rubber outer covering over wire or vulcanite in an irregular shape. Most likely hand made. Inscribed "PATENTED" at .intrauterine device

Stem pessaries were made from a variety of materials including silver, copper, gold, ivory, horn, hard rubber, and ebony from the late 1880s. The wishbone pessary had flexible wings that were compressed to facilitate insertion into the cervical canal. Initially, the effectiveness of these devices as a contraceptive was not widely broadcast. Rather, their efficacy in supporting the uterus and during dysmenorrhea were claimed.Stem pessary made of copper metal compound with a round head and two flexible wings.intrauterine device, contraception

Part of the collection of Dr Frank ForsterClear plastic pessary consisting of three sections including a wide flange, short stem and bulb. intrauterine device, pessary

Part of the collection of Dr Frank Forster.Pessary. Consists of a hollow stem with a rounded flange at one end. At the end of the stem is a small ridge with a round 'cuff'.pessary, intrauterine device

Small size.Clear plastic pessary consisting of three sections moulded together including a phlange with elevated ring, stem and bulb. A hole extends right through the centre of the device.intrauterine device, pessary

The Pro Race cervical cap was used in the early 1960s. This pessary came from Professor Geoff Bishop's rooms, Mollison House, 386 Albert Street, East Melbourne. The pamphlet associated with this item says that this device was mentioned by Marie Stopes in her book, 'Contraception'.Cervical cap made of black latex rubber with rolled rim. With original manufacturer's box. Box is pink cardboard and printed with the text '"Pro-Race"/ REGISTERED TRADE MARK/ PURE LATEX/A.SAUNDERS & CO PTY. LTD./ MELBOURNE". Object also includes a paper instruction sheet detailing product information and method of use - the instructions include diagrams.contraception, pessary, marie stopes, intrauterine device

Before factory production became commonplace in medicine, dispensing was considered an art and pill and suppository machines such as these were a vital component of any chemist’s collection. This mould dates back to the days when the local chemist or apothecary bought, sold, and manufactured all his own drugs and medicines to everybody who lived within the local community. In Victorian times, there was no such thing as off-the-shelf medicine. Every tablet, pill, suppository, ointment, potion, lotion, tincture and syrup to treat anything from a sore throat to fever, headaches or constipation, was made laboriously by hand, by the chemist. Some medicines are formulated to be used in the body cavities: the suppository (for the rectum), the pessary (for the vagina) and the bougie (for the urethra or nose). History Suppositories, pessaries and bougies have been prescribed for the last 2000 years but their popularity as a medicinal form increased from around 1840 - suppositories for constipation, haemorrhoids and later as an alternative method of drug administration, pessaries for vaginal infections and bougies for infections of the urethra, prostate, bladder or nose. Manufacture The basic method of manufacture was the same for each preparation, the shape differed. Suppositories were "bullet" or "torpedo" shaped, pessaries "bullet" shaped but larger and bougieslong and thin, tapering slightly. A base was required that would melt at body temperature. Various oils and fats have been utilised but, until the advent of modern manufactured waxes, the substances of choice were theobroma oil (cocoa butter) and a glycerin-gelatin mixture. The base was heated in a spouted pan over a water-bath until just melted. The medicament was rubbed into a little of the base (usually on a tile using a spatula) and then stirred into the rest. The melted mass was then poured into the relevant mould. Moulds were normally in two parts, made from stainless steel or brass (silver or electroplated to give a smooth surface). To facilitate removal the moulds were treated with a lubricant such as oil or soap solution. To overcome the difficulty of pouring into the long, thin bougie mould, it was usual to make a larger quantity of base, to partially unscrew the mould, fill with base and then screw the two halves of the mould together thus forcing out the excess. When cool, any excess base was scraped from the top of the mould, the mould opened and the preparations removed, packed and labelled with the doctor's instructions. https://www.rpharms.com/Portals/0/MuseumLearningResources/05%20Suppositories%20Pessaries%20and%20Bougies.pdf?ver=2020-02-06-154131-397The collection of medical instruments and other equipment in the Port Medical Office is culturally significant, being an historical example of medicine from late 19th to mid-20th century.Proctological mould for making suppositories.None.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, suppositories, medicine, health

Before factory production became commonplace in medicine, dispensing was considered an art and pill and suppository machines such as these were a vital component of any chemist’s collection. This mould dates back to the days when the local chemist or apothecary bought, sold, and manufactured all his own drugs and medicines to everybody who lived within the local community. In Victorian times, there was no such thing as off-the-shelf medicine. Every tablet, pill, suppository, ointment, potion, lotion, tincture and syrup to treat anything from a sore throat to fever, headaches or constipation, was made laboriously by hand, by the chemist. Some medicines are formulated to be used in the body cavities: the suppository (for the rectum), the pessary (for the vagina) and the bougie (for the urethra or nose). History Suppositories, pessaries and bougies have been prescribed for the last 2000 years but their popularity as a medicinal form increased from around 1840 - suppositories for constipation, haemorrhoids and later as an alternative method of drug administration, pessaries for vaginal infections and bougies for infections of the urethra, prostate, bladder or nose. Manufacture The basic method of manufacture was the same for each preparation, the shape differed. Suppositories were "bullet" or "torpedo" shaped, pessaries "bullet" shaped but larger and bougieslong and thin, tapering slightly. A base was required that would melt at body temperature. Various oils and fats have been utilised but, until the advent of modern manufactured waxes, the substances of choice were theobroma oil (cocoa butter) and a glycerin-gelatin mixture. The base was heated in a spouted pan over a water-bath until just melted. The medicament was rubbed into a little of the base (usually on a tile using a spatula) and then stirred into the rest. The melted mass was then poured into the relevant mould. Moulds were normally in two parts, made from stainless steel or brass (silver or electroplated to give a smooth surface). To facilitate removal the moulds were treated with a lubricant such as oil or soap solution. To overcome the difficulty of pouring into the long, thin bougie mould, it was usual to make a larger quantity of base, to partially unscrew the mould, fill with base and then screw the two halves of the mould together thus forcing out the excess. When cool, any excess base was scraped from the top of the mould, the mould opened and the preparations removed, packed and labelled with the doctor's instructions. https://www.rpharms.com/Portals/0/MuseumLearningResources/05%20Suppositories%20Pessaries%20and%20Bougies.pdf?ver=2020-02-06-154131-397The collection of medical instruments and other equipment in the Port Medical Office is culturally significant, being an historical example of medicine from late 19th to mid-20th century.Proctological mould for making suppositories.None.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, suppositories, medicine, health

hodge smith pessary - straight & curved

napiers cup & stem pessary

watch spring pessary - various sizes

hodge's pessary