Back to collection

Laminaria Tent, 1940-1970

© 2021 Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Description

Carboard box containing twelve Laminaria tents in glass tubes containing sterilized solution.

Laminaria tents were a form of uterine tent, used to dilate the cervix before surgery. Made from the alga Laminaria digitata, the tent would be inserted into the cervix and would expand as it absorbed moisture. This method was preferred over other rapid methods of expanding the cervix.

Fact

This type of uterine tent was introduced by Sir James Simpson and manufactured by Savory and Moore Limited, London.