title: [The matrix speculum of Récamier].
abstract: The matrix speculum probably appeared in the first century as a bronze instrument: it was dug out of the ruins of Pompeï and was still used at the beginning of the twentieth century. In 1804-1806. Récamier used a slender tin tube to treat the ulcers of uterus and his tube quickly became conical and then appeared a double tin "leaflet" speculum. Four main reasons explain the great success : the smooth wall of the tube, the choice of tin to have a good lighting during the clinical examination, the conical design for anatomical reasons and the veneral diseases in Récamier's period.
authors.affiliation: de.renner@wanadoo.fr
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Renner
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design / Q000266:history; D005260:Female; D049672:History, 19th Century; D006801:Humans; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000266:history* / Q000295:instrumentation; D013525:Surgical Instruments / Q000266:history*