She Took a Vow to Obey: A Victorian Tale about a Visit to the Doctor
*Historical Note
-The Victorians were generally a people of rigid morals. Some women did not even remove all of their clothing for a private bath, so you can imagine what it would have been like for a shy, proper woman to be asked to strip naked in front of strangers.
- The vibrator was invented in 1870 for use by doctors to cure "hysteria" which most admitted was a case of sexual frustration. Prior to the vibrator, doctors used "pelvic massage" to induce orgasm in their female patients.
*
Mr. Smyth sat next to his shy wife in the examination room, patting her hand gently, hoping to offer her some comfort in her agitated state. With eyes downcast, Mrs. Smyth once again appealed to her husband, asking to leave.
"Anna, dear," he replied, "I know that what I am asking of you is exceedingly difficult, but I must think of our marriage first. We must discover why you do not enjoy our intimate life together. It is already 1870; we have been married for a year now. I fear for our future, and," he gruffly cleared his throat as his voice grew firmer, "you have taken vows to obey me."
This lovely, young woman was raised in a household where modesty was prized beyond all things. As the daughter of a wealthy landowner, she was expected to marry well; therefore, her virginity was carefully guarded. She knew nothing of marital relations until a few weeks before her wedding. She did not mind her husband's advances; he was so kind and gentle. She just did not seem to enjoy herself.
Anna was still gazing at her shoes when the doctor walked in. The handsome older gentlemen, with salt-and-pepper hair, bowed to Mrs. Smyth, and shook hands with Mr. Smyth, who rose to his feet. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Smyth," the doctor began. "I am Dr. Troys. Mr. Smyth, I have read the letter in which you described your situation. I would like you to know that this is not an uncommon problem, and that I have much experience in this area. Using the details in your letter and my expertise in these matters, I have taken the liberty of forming a plan for the examination, diagnoses, and treatment of Mrs. Smyth."
"We have knowledge of your excellent reputation, doctor, and appreciate any help that you might extend," Mr. Smyth replied. "I assure you that we will heed any advice that you have to impart."
"Very well, let us begin then." The doctor turned to the door of the small examination room. "I will send Nurse O'Malley in to add coal to the stove so that Mrs. Smyth can be warm and comfortable. The nurse will also help Mrs. Smyth to undress." Turning his attention, he said, "Mrs. Smyth, I must ask you to go behind the screen and remove all of your clothing. When I return with my two assistants, you must lie upon the examination table."
"Yes," said Mrs. Smyth finding her voice for the first time. "I brought along my dressing gown so that I can..."
"Mrs. Smyth," the doctor interrupted gently, anticipating her words. " I truly feel for your delicate sensibilities; however, it is necessary for you to be completely unclothed for the entire procedure. I find that it is easier for the woman to simply appear thus, rather than to prolong the agonizing process of slowly undressing before us men. Please understand that I will be completely honest and rather blunt with you. This is the only way to prevent miscommunication and to avoid delays in a process that will be difficult for you."
Turning the knob, the doctor walked out. Casting a woeful look upon her husband, the obedient wife rose and slipped behind the screen. Nurse O'Malley stepped briskly into the room with the coal.
"Good day, Mr. Smyth," said the young, good-natured nurse, "I've been sent to tend the stove and to assist Mrs. Smyth." Quickly and efficiently, she fed the hungry stove and then joined Mrs. Smyth behind the screen. Just as efficiently, the nurse assisted the timid lady out of her corset, carefully hung the fashionable gown, and offered a case for her jewels. The cheerful Irish lilt in the nurse's voice did lift Mrs. Smyth's spirits a bit.
"There you go, Mrs. Smyth." Stepping from behind the screen, the nurse lit a lamp directly above the examination table, and extinguished all of the others. "The Doctor has observed that the patient is more comfortable with subdued lighting," she explained. "I shall be off now. Best of luck to you both," and with that, the nurse breezed out of the room.
Mrs. Smyth finished undressing, and hesitated at the edge of the screen. Horrified eyes turned to her husband.
"Please, Walter, you really cannot mean for me to appear naked in front of three gentlemen. If you take me home, I promise to try harder," she pleaded, arms clutching her nude form.
"My dear, Anna," came her husband's gentle reply from his seat across the room. "If there were any other way, but we have tried to no avail. Do this for me. I know that you love me and that you want me to be happy. I cannot be happy and satisfied unless I know that you are also."
Mrs. Smyth reflected briefly upon his words. It was true. She was madly in love with her gorgeous husband and desperately wanted to please him. She knew that he wanted her to be brave and stoic, and she would try.
Just then, the three men in long, white laboratory coats entered the room. To her dismay, the two assistants were young men in their twenties, each cutting a handsome figure and one sporting a clipboard. The assistants stepped up to Mr. Smyth, shaking hands and introducing themselves, while Doctor Troys explained that these young men were his apprentices who would help with the procedure, and take notes on Mrs. Smyth's reactions to the various treatments.
"Well then, let us begin," said Dr. Troys, looking at the empty examination table and then at the screen. "Is Mrs. Smyth ready?"