The Evolution of Birth

It explored physiological changes that occurred while early humans transitioned from quadrupeds to bipeds. As humans evolved into being able to walk on two feet, the width of the birth canal was reduced. These anatomical changes meant that a human woman usually required the assistance of another person in order to more safely give birth. 

The exhibit explored the medical and physiological changes that accompanied bipedalism and featured a rare replica of a Chamberlen forceps, the original obstetrical forceps, and rare 19th-century French medical texts from the College’s Historical Medical Library.