Vaginal Speculum (c.1800) used to apply LEECHES to a woman’s cervix. Okay, I’ve posted this before, but since FB keeps killing my reach with its terrible algorithm, I thought I’d try again at horrifying you! This was a popular treatment for gynecological problems in the 19th century. Leeches were introduced into the body cavity to remove an excess of blood, which many doctors believed caused localized afflictions such as tumors or inflammation. The leeches were removed when they became engorged. This speculum is French, and used a scissor-like action to expand the funnel. It locked open, freeing the physician’s hands to apply the leeches. By 1830, leeches were so popular that demand outstripped supply. Leeches are still used in medicine, but for very different reasons than they were used in the past. Today, they are typically used following plastic and reconstructive surgery to help restore blood flow and circulation. This speculum is now part of the Science Museum in London.