Laminaria tent, which consists of a short, solid, cylindrical piece of seaweed with a flat, round, plastic disc attached perpendicularly near one end; the small area of seaweed above the disc has a small hole through the seaweed to allow the attachment of a string; the other end of the piece of sea…
Laminaria tent, which consists of a short, solid, cylindrical piece of seaweed with a flat, round, plastic disc attached perpendicularly near one end; the small area of seaweed above the disc has a small hole through the seaweed to allow the attachment of a string; the other end of the piece of seaweed has a rounded tip.
Number Of Parts
1
Provenance
Owned and used by Dr. Paul MacKenzie at Kingston General Hospital.
Dates
1970
1980
circa 1970-1980
Material
plastic: opaque
seaweed: beige
fabric: white
Inscriptions
None
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-D8-12
Dimension Notes
Length 5.7 cm x Diam. 1.4 cm
Condition Remarks
The laminaria tent shows very little wear and has never been used; no damage or staining is visible on any part.
Copy Type
Original
Reference Types
Person
Reference Comments
Dr. Robert Reid; Dr. Paul MacKenzie
Research Facts
The seaweed is used to dilate the cervix, usually for a dilatation and curettage and/or an abortion.
Not many medical devices have been made from seaweed. But laminaria, or “sea-tangle” tents, were a standard part of the obstetrician's armamentarium in the late 19th and early 20th century. These slim cylinders, measuring 5–10 cm long, were dried stalks of the marine plant, Laminaria digitata. Inserted into the cervical canal, they absorbed water and slowly expanded, dilating the cervix. Laminaria tents were used to induce labour in non-urgent situations, such as anticipated cephalo-pelvic disproportion. Long before it became an issue for the natural birth movement, non-urgent induction was a controversial procedure. British obstetricians tended to support such intervention, but many of their Continental colleagues disagreed, preferring to risk the perils of obstructed labour rather than interfere with nature.