Wellcome uses cookies.

Read our policy
Wellcome Collection homepage
All
Stories
Images
Catalogue
Events

Stories

  • In pictures

A nasty history of the vaginal speculum

The vaginal speculum carries the weight of generations of preconceptions about morality, blame and attitudes to pain. Lalita Kaplish explores the history of the implement and how societies shaped its use.

  • Article

The meaning of trauma is wound

Daisy Johnson recalls her difficult journey to being diagnosed with vaginismus, and why women are so good at turning bad things into a joke.

  • Article

A history of gestation outside the body

It’s been over 400 years since a Swiss alchemist theorised that foetuses could develop outside the womb. Claire Horn examines incubator technology past and present, and explores the possibilities recent prototypes might bring.

  • Article

The prostitute whose pox inspired feminists

Fitzrovia, 1875. A woman recorded only as A.G. enters hospital and is diagnosed with syphilis.

All stories (6)

Images

  • Vincentius Bellovacensis, Speculum Naturale
  • Vincentius Bellovacensis, Speculum Naturale
  • Vincentius Bellovacensis, Speculum Naturale
  • Vincentius Bellovacensis, Speculum Naturale
  • Speculum matricis, 1671: embryo
  • Katoptrob Speculum venarum, et arteriarum.
  • Speculum: wood. Reconstruction of Abulcasis (A.D. 936-1013)
  • Vaginal speculum
  • Vaginal speculum
  • Vaginal speculum
All images (91)

Catalogue

All works (602)