Monstrous Instruments: The Vaginal Speculum and the Contagious Diseases Acts Repeal Movement
Date: Thursday, November 9th, 2023
Time: 7pm-9pm
Location: Queen’s University, Watson Hall Rm 517, 49 Bader Lane, Kingston
Cost: Free
All are welcome!
Light refreshments will be served.
This project considers the history of the vaginal speculum with a focus on its use and associated controversies both inside and outside the medical community. In the nineteenth century, the speculum became a tool of medical and police surveillance through the introduction of the Contagious Diseases Acts in Britain (1864-1886). These acts, which allowed for the compulsory medical examination of women who were accused of prostitution, inspired a feminist-driven repeal movement. These repealers rallied against the Acts’ forcible medical examinations, particularly targeting the use of the speculum in these exams. In their activism, the repealers were participating in a larger medico-moral debate around the efficacy and ethics of this tool in the burgeoning field of gynaecology. This project brings together a history of the object with examples drawn from the Museum of Health Care’s collection, alongside a critical examination of repealer writing on Contagious Diseases Acts’ medical examinations and the instrument of the speculum. The introduction of the speculum in Britain inspired questions related to bodily autonomy, medical and sexual consent, and women’s health care that would continue to polarize medical professionals, patients, and activists to this day.
**Content Warning: This talk addresses subjects which may be difficult for some attendees,including non-consensual or coerced medical procedures, misogyny, sexual assault, trauma, police misconduct, and sex work.
Jessica Sealey is a PhD candidate in Cultural Studies at Queen’s University. Jessica holds a Masters in the History of Art from the University of Western Ontario and has previously worked in the visual arts, tourism and heritage sectors as a curator and educator. Her doctoral research focuses on the Contagious Diseases Acts of Britain (1864-1886) and explores narratives of sexual immorality, public health, performance, and surveillance. Her research interests include the history of gender, sexuality, and medicine, as well as visual culture and museum studies.
Special thanks to Ian M. Fraser and Janine M. Schweitzer for their generous support of the fellowship this year.