What device was first marketed to physicians and then to middle-class women for the treatment of hysteria?

The vibrator is historically significant as it was initially marketed to physicians for the treatment of hysteria, a diagnosis that was often used in the 19th century to describe a range of women's health issues, including sexual frustration and emotional distress. Physicians would use vibrators in their practices to provide "pelvic massage" to women, which was believed to relieve symptoms associated with hysteria.

The marketing subsequently expanded to middle-class women, presenting the device as a personal wellness tool, reinforcing the shift in perceptions surrounding female sexuality and pleasure. This transition highlighted changing attitudes toward women's sexual health and empowerment, allowing women to engage with their own bodies in ways previously not socially acceptable.

The other options listed—such as the pessary, dilator, and contraceptive device—served specific medical purposes but did not play a comparable role in the discourse surrounding hysteria and the evolving understanding of women's sexual health during that period. The vibrator stands out for its direct connection to the treatment of hysteria and the subsequent empowerment of women through the acceptance of sexual devices for personal pleasure and health.