Obstetrics : the theory and practice ; including the diseases of pregnancy and parturition, obstetrical operations, etc. / by P. Cazeaux ; remodelled and rearranged, with additions and revisions, by S. Tarnier.
- Pierre Cazeaux
- Date:
- 1885
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Obstetrics : the theory and practice ; including the diseases of pregnancy and parturition, obstetrical operations, etc. / by P. Cazeaux ; remodelled and rearranged, with additions and revisions, by S. Tarnier. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.
1075/1140 (page 1041)
![Numerous instruments have been invented for the perforation of the cranium, but we shall describe only those vrhich are best adapted to the purpose, and which are the most generally employed. In the first place, however, we would mention Eia. 149. FiQ. 150. Fig. 151. Mode of introducing and using Smellie's scissors. the simple bistourj', which is in every surgeon's hands, at the same time remarking that it can rarely be used except when the head is very low down and the fonta- nelles and sutures are easily accessible. Its point would be almost sure to break upon the first attempt to penetrate the bone with it, and it would be very difficult to manage at the superior strait. A common knife may, indeed, be substituted for the bistoury, but it would still be a very imperfect instrument, and every one knows how acrimoniously Sacombe accused Baudelocque of having used it. The sharp point concealed in the end of one of the handles of the forceps * would answer the purpose better, and in the absence of a special instrument may even be found very serviceable. Mauriceau sometimes used a hooked knife, with which he incised the head for the purpose of allowing the cerebral matter to escape, and sometimes an instrument shaped like a pike head, which was the original model of our best modern perfo- rators. Dugfes' terebellum is a sort of conical screw, with a deep thread sharpened at the edge, excepting the largest turn, which is left blunt, in ordei to protect the mother's parts. The inventor claims for it the double ofiice of a perforator and a traction instrument by which the head may be drawn down.] The instrument generally used is that known as Smellie's scissors, which is very strong, and has its cutting edges externally ; and, being terminated by a sharp point, is admirably calculated for penetrating through the osseous vault; when, by opening the handles, the original orifice is easily enlarged. M. Hippolyte Blot has latterly had a perforator constructed by M. Char- ri^re, which, I think, is destined to supersede Smellie's seissors, generally made use of hitherto. It possesses all the advantages of the latter without its inconveniences 1 Some of the French forceps are so constructed. (See article Forceps.—Trandalor.) 66](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21515013_1077.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
