ABSTRACT
Uterine prolapse was an ancient affliction. It was described by the Egyptians 2000 years BC. The
uterus had been described by Aristotle as “the seat of womanhood” and was considered an
indispensable and vital organ that somehow embodied the spirit of the woman. It is therefore not
surprising that ancient practitioners tried or suggested multiple therapies of every imaginable
type to correct prolapse without removing this vital organ of womanhood (1). Succession
therapy and vaginal pessaries were two popular nonsurgical treatments for genital prolapse.
Succussion therapy, described by Hippocrates (460-377 BC.), involved securing the patient to a
frame with ropes then inverting her to a head-down position. The entire frame was then moved
up and down in a shaking motion to allow gravity to return the uterus to its normal pelvic
position. This was followed by placement of an object in the vaginal canal to prevent recurrence
of the prolapse. A widely used object was half of a pomegranate soaked in vinegar as
recommended by Diocles of Carystos in the 4th century BC (2).
