Description
Four C1930 stem pessaries that were used as intra-uterine devices ( IUDs) . I’ve attached an image of a page from a 1929 medical instrument catalog issued by Mahady ( Boston,Massachusetts) with illustrations of them. The metal one (copper) is Chambers’; the hard rubber ones ( each a different size) are Wylie’s. They can also be seen on the London Science Museum’s site. See link that follows. which you’ll have to copy and paste. They were sold as “stem pessaries” (even though they functioned as contraceptives) because laws then in force in the USA criminalized the use of the postal system for shipping birth-control devices. http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/images/I020/10284378.aspx
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Dealer information
M and R Gordon
Michael and Roberta Gordon have been dealing in medical and dental antiques for more than four decades. They have helped build a number of major private collections and have contributed to the holdings of many museums. They also deal in other scientific and technology related items, including calculating instruments, office machines, patent models and wine-related accessories such as corkscrews. ROBERTA GORDON IS A SKILLED RESTORER WHO CAN HELP YOU WITH ANY INSTRUMENTS AND CASES THAT NEED ATTENTION. Feel free to contact them for details at: [email protected] or 718-623-6777