Speculum

[Maximio]

Yes, i was feeling a bit queasy there!

Perhaps Maximio will know?

Arms on Roman speculae do appear quite frequently, and whilst on first consideration they seem to have no functional purpose - they wouldn't be needed to spread the two lower arms which open as the upper arm is drawn up with the screw - I have always regarded that when one considers that this is a gyneaological instrument then once inserted into the vagina the arms can then rest on the woman's thighs and so maintain the position whilst the surgeon is able to keep both hands free to conduct the procedure.

As you can see from the example in the science museum found originally in the Lebanon http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/images/ ... 84978.aspx the arms aren't present - just the mounting lugs. Whereas in this one though http://www.ssplprints.com/image.php?id=131975 described as being from Pompeii the arms are straighter and would easily balance across the top of the woman's thighs. Though there is a definite curve in Martin and Alex's excellent reconstuction seemingly in the opposite direction to rest over the thighs, it is likely that this would help when the woman is abducting her legs.

The quadrivalve speculum from the house of the surgeon at Pompeii does not have arms, though to be honest any woman dilated by such an instrument would be completely transfixed by it and surely incapable of movement anyway.

This instrument (Martin and Alex's), is very unlikely to have been used for anal dilation for which a bi valve spreader would be easier to use http://www.hsl.virginia.edu/historical/ ... culumB.jpg

Robert is quite right to say that wound retraction would be entirely different, tissue retractors and hooks would be used for this if absolutley necessarry. Don't forget that prolonged exploratory surgery would be very rare in the abdomen which would be the only other area that could take an instrument of the size of Martin's.

Byron, do something about your infernal rotas and come along to a show where I will demonstrate just what I mean. http://www.flickr.com/photos/16460709@N03/3604229501/