AN AUTOMATIC SPECULUM
Year: 1884

page_text: I ROBERT BLACKBEE of 71 Norfolk Road Dalston in the County of Middlesex,
Mechanist do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for AN AUTOMATIC
SPECULUM to be as follows:-
"
This Invention consists of a Speculum formed of German Silver tube without
Springs, hinges, screws or joints of any kind thus rendering it Automatic in its
action by the resiliency of its blades:-and having a table at its posterior end for
facilitating operation on the "Os" and Cervix Uteri :"-thus, this Speculum
when introduced into the Vagina adjusts itself without further interference upon
the part of the operator, affording an uninterrupted view of the parts to be
examined, and remaining "in situ" during the operation without pain or
inconvenience to the Patient. The following is an example of the construction of
the Speculum referred to :-
I take a tube of German Silver or any other suitable metal or material of the
requisite length and diameter and mark out on its external surface such parts of
the tube as I intend to cut out to effect my purpose. At one end of the tube,
(which I shall allude to hereafter as the posterior end or body of the tube) and at
a distance about one inch and a half from its edge, I draw a line round the tube
parallel to the edge Fig. 1. 2. 3 B from which line I draw eight straight
equidistant lines at right angles to it, extending to the other or anterior end of the
tube Fig. 6. 1. 2. 3. 4. thus dividing the external surface of the tube into eight
equal spaces longitudinally:-at the posterior end of the tube where the longi-
tudinal lines meet the circular line I round off the end of every alternate space
Fig. 1. 2. 3 E. and having shortened the anterior ends of the two superior spaces
and and rounded them off, and shaping the ends of the two inferior spaces in a
similar manner Fig. 1. D. I now cut away every alternate space as marked upon
the external surface of the tube, leaving four blades-two superior and two
inferior: the two latter being longer than the two former F 1. 1. 2. 3 4. I now set
out these blades from their point of junction with the body of the tube: the two
superior outwards and upwards; the two inferior outwards and downwards.
Fig. 1. D. D. D¹. Dr.
I likewise set out the anterior ends of the blades in a similar manner: so as to.
completely separate the Labiæ and assist in retaining the Speculum "in situ'
Fi & D D DI DI

page_text: At one inch from the circular line at Fig. 1. B. I cut away a portion of the
superior surface of the posterior end of the tube, carrying it diaagonally downwards
and backwards Fig. 1. F. F. I now make a suitable ring to fit the edge formed by
cutting away the superior half of the posterior end of the tube, and solder it on
in the usual way:-thus leaving no sharp or roughened edge on the external
surface of the Speculum, and with a similar object in view I round off all the
edges of the four blades.
The Speculum may now be plated with silver or gold.

page_text: I ROBERT BLACKBEE of 71 Norfolk Road, Dalston, in the County of Middlesex
Mechanist, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for AN AUTOMATIC
SPECULUM to be as follows:―
:
*
This Invention consists of a Speculum formed of German Silver tube without
Springs, hinges, screws or joints of any kind, thus rendering it Automatic in its
action by the resiliency of its blades and having a table at its posterior end for
facilitating operations on the "Os" & Cervix Uteri":-thus, this Speculum
when introduced into the Vagina, adjusts itself without further interference
upon the part of the operator; affording an uninterrupted view of the parts
to be examined, and remaining "in situ" during the operation without pain or
inconvenience to the patient.
The following is an example of the construction of the Speculum referred to :-
I take a tube of German Silver or any other suitable metal or material of the
requisite length and diameter: and mark out on its external surface such parts as
I intend to cut out to effect my purpose. At one end of the tube, (which I shall
hereafter allude to as the posterior end or body of the tube) and at a distance
about one inch and a half from its edge I draw a line round the tube parallel to its
edge, as shewn at B. Figures 1. 2. 3:—from which line I draw eight straight
equidistant lines at right angles to it extending to the other or anterior end of the
tube as shewn at C. Fig. 1. 2. 3 thus dividing the external surface of the tube
into eight equal spaces longitudinally :-at the posterior end of the tube where the
longitudinal lines meet the circular line I round off the end of every alternate
space as shewn at E Figures 1. 2. 3-and having shortened the anterior ends of
the two superior spaces half an inch, and rounding them off, and shaping the ends
of the two inferior spaces in a similar manner, as shewn at D. D¹, Fig. 1 I cut out
every alternate space as marked on the external surface of the tube, leaving four
blades: two superior and two inferior, the two latter being longer than the two
former as shewn at 1. 2. 3. 4 Fig. 1. I now set out these blades from their point
of junction with the body of the tube: the two superior outwards and upwards
and the two inferior outwards and downwards as shewn at E. Fig. 1. 2. 3. I
likewise set out the anterior ends of the blades in a similar manner so as to
completely separate the "Labia" and assist in retaining the Speculum "in situ '
as shewn D. D¹ Fig. 1.
"
At one inch from the circular line at B. Figures 1. 2.3 I cut away a portion of
the superior surface of the posterior end of the tube carrying it diagonally
downwards and backwards as shewn at F. Figs. 1. 2. 3. I now make a suitable
ring to fit the edge formed by cutting away the superior half of the posterior end
of the tube and solder it on in the usual manner: thus leaving no sharp or
roughened edge on the external surface of the Speculum, and with the same object
in view I round off all the edges of the four blades.
The Speculum may now be plated with silver or gold.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is having constructed a Speculum with the following advantages.
"
1 That when introduced into the Vagina" it adjusts itself without any.
further interference upon the part of the operator in such a manner as to afford an
uninterrupted view of the parts to be examined or operated upon.

page_text: 2nd That the blades although resilient have sufficient surface to avoid any sharp
angles in the longitudinal direction of the tube; thus causing no pain or uneasiness
to the patient when "in situ."
3rd That one inch and a half of the tube at its posterior end being entire in its
inferior half forms a table, upon which the "Cervix Uteri" will rest, thus
affording facility for operation.