Obstetrical vectis, United Kingdom, 1801-1900

  • Science Museum, London
  • Digital Images
  • Online

Available online

view Obstetrical vectis, United Kingdom, 1801-1900

Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

You can use this work for any purpose, including commercial uses, without restriction under copyright law. You should also provide attribution to the original work, source and licence. Read more about this licence.

Credit

Obstetrical vectis, United Kingdom, 1801-1900. Science Museum, London. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). Source: Wellcome Collection.

Selected images from this work

View 1 image

About this work

Description

A vectis altered the position of the baby’s head. It also acted as a lever to ease the head out. It was used by obstetric physicians attending the birth of a child. The vectis was Dutch in origin. This 1800s example is spoon-shaped. It is made of steel and ebony with a folding handle. Other designs were originally made of bone or ivory and often covered in leather. This was very unhygienic. It led to many women dying of puerperal fever. This is a fatal form of blood poisoning contracted during the birth from unsanitary instruments. maker: Fouracres Place made: United Kingdom

Contributors

Subjects

Permanent link