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2000/121/5 Speculum, gynaecological surgical instrument, 'Sims', metal, Eschmann, England, date unknown, used Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1960-1980. Click to enlarge.
  • Image 1 of 1, 2000/121/5 Speculum, gynaecological surgical instrument, 'Sims', metal, Eschmann, England, date unknown, used Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1960-1980. Click to enlarge

Sims speculum used by Dr Geoffrey Davis

Made
The Sims vaginal speculum, along with other gynaecological instruments, was used in the 1960s by Dr Geoffrey Davis, who specialised in abortion. Until abortion became lawful in New South Wales in 1971, the procedure was usually discreetly carried out by medical specialists in consulting rooms or clinics in the city. Dr Davis had clinics in two Sydney suburbs, Potts Point and Arncliffe

Originally trained as an anaesthetist, Dr Davis is well known, in Sydney and internationally, for his …

Summary

Object No.

2000/121/5

Object Statement

Speculum, gynaecological surgical instrument, 'Sims', metal, Eschmann, England, date unknown, used Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1960-1980

Physical Description

Gynaecological surgical instrument, Sims speculum, metal, made by Eschmann, England, United Kingdom, date unknown, used Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1960-1980.

Sims speculum, a curved, 'u' shaped surgical instrument. This speculum was donated by Dr Geoffrey Davis from amongst the instruments that he used for termination of pregnancy (abortion) at his clinics.

Marks

Manufacturer's mark inscribed centre, impressed in metal surface "ESCHMANN. ENGLAND / STAINLESS".

Short URL

https://ma.as/8451

Dimensions

Width

35 mm

Depth

85 mm

Production

Made

Notes

This speculum is inscribed 'Eschmann England' suggesting that it was made by the company known as Eschmann Equipment.

The Sims speculum was presumably used by Dr Geoffrey Davis in his clinic in the 1960s and 1970s.

History

Used

Notes

Originally trained as an anaesthetist, Dr Geoffrey Davis is well known for his involvement with the termination of pregnancy. As well as opening clinics in the 1960s in the Sydney suburbs of Potts Point and Arncliffe, Dr Davis has worked with Population Services International, the International Fertility Research Program, and the International Planned Parenthood Federation in developing countries such as Bangladesh and India. When he was close to retirement in 1995 Dr Davis lent items of his own equipment to the Powerhouse Museum for the 'Taking precautions' exhibition, and subsequently donated them to the museum's collection. The donation included this Sims speculum.


The Sims speculum was presumably used by Dr Geoffrey Davis in his clinic in the 1960s and 1970s.

Source

Credit Line

Gift of Dr Geoffrey Davis

Acquisition Date

23 November 2000

Cite this Object

Harvard

Sims speculum used by Dr Geoffrey Davis 2021, Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, accessed 25 May 2022, <https://ma.as/8451>

Wikipedia

{{cite web |url=https://ma.as/8451 |title=Sims speculum used by Dr Geoffrey Davis |author=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences |access-date=25 May 2022 |publisher=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, Australia}}

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