Midwifery bag, England, 1871-1900

Made:
1871-1900 in London
maker:
Krohne and Sesemann
Midwifery bag, by Krohne and Sesemann Midwifery bag, by Krohne and Sesemann

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Midwifery bag, by Krohne and Sesemann
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Midwifery bag, by Krohne and Sesemann
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Midwifery bag, by Krohne and Sesemann, English probably late 19th century

Instruments and medicines that might be required at the birth of a child are contained in this midwifery bag. The heavy leather box is more like a suitcase than a bag. It opens to reveal forceps held in leather straps in the lid, an instrument tin and four small glass bottles - three of which are marked ‘poison’. The instruments indicate the bag was only called on in dire circumstances, for example if the mother’s life was at risk. Craniotomy forceps are also included. These were heavy, toothed or ridged crushing instruments to break up the skull bones of a foetus. A cephalotribe punctured the infant’s skull.

The set almost certainly belonged to a male obstetric physician. They were originally known as men-midwives. They were not normally present at routine births. However, they would be called to assist if complications arose. The instruments were made by London-based firm Krohne and Sesemann, founded by Prussian immigrants in the 1860s.

Details

Category:
Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Contraception
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A180574
Materials:
leather and metal
Measurements:
overall: 350 mm x 460 mm x 200 mm,
type:
midwifery bag
credit:
Wellcome Trust (Purchased from Stevens)

Parts

Cephalotribe, possibly Braxton Hicks type

Cephalotribe, possibly Braxton Hicks type

Cephalotribe, possibly Braxton Hicks type

Materials:
metal and wood
Object Number:
A180574 Pt2
type:
cephalotribes