Set of Hegar Dilators This set comprises 16 of the 18 dilators, housed in a roll-up canvas case. The dilators are round, slightly curved metal rods of increasing diameter, each with a conical tip and a number. Some of the dilators are engraved with “Holborn of London” alongside the number. The canvas case is stained, and the dilators show signs of corrosion. Dilators numbered 1 to 3 are missing. These types of dilators were designed by German gynaecologist Alfred Hegar in 1879 to treat genito-pelvic pain disorder. Typically, the number on a dilator corresponds to its size in millimetres. 1900-1949