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Midwife's bag used on home visits in the Isle of Man

Date made: late 20th century

Maker: unknown

Description: This bag and the equipment within it was used by Isle of Man district midwives prior to the 1980s.

The bag is made of leather and contains a stainless steel sterilising unit as well as equipment for delivering babies.

The role of the midwife - someone usually an older woman who has knowledge of the processes of childbirth - exists in almost every society on earth. In Britain it was not uncommon for children to be born at home, rather than in hospital, as late as the 1970s. A bag such as this would have been an essential part of the midwife's kit.

Measurements: 35 x 32 x 25 cm

Materials: cotton, metal: copper alloy, metal: iron, plastic: other

Object name: bag

Collection: Social History Collection

ID Number: 1986-0039

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