Today we learned that Instagram's community standards moderation team is in fact run by the lecherous old men from the story of Susanna and the Elders.
The whole internet loves Moo Deng, the celebrity baby pygmy hippo, so we're going to join in celebrating her in the only way we know how to: by telling you facts about hippopotamus vaginas.
As with many of the cursed patents we've shown you, you can rest easy at night knowing that there are no records of this thing ever having gone into production. And that the patent is long expired, so nobody's likely to make one as they won't make any money off it.
Now, you're probably worrying that wearing an electric ring up your cooter might interfere with your lifestyle of daily douching. All right then, you probably aren't, because you shouldn't be douching. But Orris Herrick was concerned about this. So he made thoroughly sure that you could douche without removing the gizmo: "As there is no cup attached to catch the secretions from the womb, the vagina can be daily washed with a syringe without removing the instrument."
You are probably wondering, at this point, why on earth you would want to electrocute your vagina and cervix. First of all, electrocuting body parts was very fashionable in the 19th century. They were very excited by the new technology, and thought it had healing qualities.
Orris Herrick believed that his Galvanic Uterine Support would simultaneously treat prolapse, while the electrical zaps would heal any ulceration or abnormal discharge (there is no evidence that this would work).
The good news is, despite the aesthetic, this is not some sort of metal chastity belt. The bad news is, it's much smaller than that and goes inside your vagina. Yep, screws and all. The further piece of bad news is, for those of you who are unfamiliar with 19th century scientific language, is that "galvanic" means electric. Those little dangly bits are wires, for electrifying the gadget while it's inside you.
It is with a heavy heart that we must inform you that it's time for another cursed old-timey vagina patent. Meet your new worst enemy: the Galvanic Uterine Supporter patented by Orris E. Herrick in 1879.
We have raised almost £15,000 in our campaign to fund our menopause exhibition when arts and heritage funders will not. Will you join more than 300 people in creating the cultural space around menopause that's been missing for millennia? https://www.gofundme.com/f/r9tszw
Throughout history, menopause has been almost completely invisible. In the 19th century, we saw a shift in paradigm. Suddenly people were talking about it - and those people were doctors. It began to emerge as a problem which could be solved with the right medicine.
We could even tell you the name of the man who invented the word "menopause", where previously there had been no name for the common life event (Charles-Pierre-Louis de Gardanne, a student doctor in 1821).
Things are starting to change. Celebrities are speaking out. Brands are jumping on the bandwagon. But where's menopause in the cultural sphere? Where's the art and the literature? Menopause: What's Changed will bring together the burgeoning cultural space around menopause. We're carving out space to knit together a tapestry of rich experiences, and making a space to create.
The menstrual product ad trope of a jubilant woman going rock climbing or bungee jumping or doing athletic feats is associated with the 1980s, but it's in fact way older than that. This menstrual product ad from the late 19th century shows a very jubilant woman going cycling.
The pads in the advert, which apparently help you cycle around dressed like a triumphant Roman, include "pasteurised peat". Peat moss, also known as sphagnum, was a popular choice for homemade menstrual pads as the moss can absorb up to 20 times its weight in moisture.
Some of you were surprised or confused by the inclusion of peat moss in the pad. This little moss was used a lot in menstrual menstrual management, throughout time. Its other common name was "blood moss", possibly due to its use for periods. Here's a little bit of appreciation for sphagnum... #mosstodon
Museum collaborations are a great opportunity for exchanging knowledge and best practice. We would like to share some of our learning from our residency at the Crab Museum. So who wants to hear about the mind control barnacle that feminises and impregnates its victims?
Sacculina carcini, also known as the crab hacker barnacle, is a parasitic barnacle which infects crabs - usually the green crab (although sometimes others).
The female barnacle larva finds a crab, and enters through the bristles on its legs. It's not fussy about the sex of the crab, it can infect either males or females.
Owing to concerning rumours that the far right will be in the area this evening, the Vagina Museum will be closing at 4.30pm for the safety of our staff and volunteers.
Is menstrual blood "just blood"? No! The answer is actually much more interesting, and might actually be very exciting indeed! Here's what comes out in your period...