On the craniotomy forceps of Dr. Davis, in reply to Mr. Rawlins of Oxford / by David D. Davis.
- Davis, David D., 1777-1841.
- Date:
- [1820]
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: On the craniotomy forceps of Dr. Davis, in reply to Mr. Rawlins of Oxford / by David D. Davis. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.
5/12 page 377
![But I must hasten to the consideration of our third and last genus of embryotomy extractors : viz., the genus forceps, in which are merged the claims of Mr. Baulins and other modern inventors.. The use of instruments having the forceps form of purchase is most assuredly no modern invention, and much less a novelty of recent date. To illustrate this remark, however, and to enable the reader to distinguish intelligently between facts and pretensions, I shall lake the liberty once more of subdividing this genus, which is a numerous one, into two or three species or varieties. Under the first subdivision, I shall place the species com*- pressing or crushing forceps. It appears probable, perhaps not absolutely certain, that Hippocrates alludes to instruments / of this kind when he advises the head to be seized tm rsUcpu*. I am.disposed UV believe, that the misdaehs of Albucasis, and more especially the larger forceps, were also, at least in part, intended to diminish the bulk of the foetal head by the effect of compression. I am aware.of Smellie’s opinion op this subject11; but I cannot reconcile it to the barbarous appearance of the instruments themselves, as exhibited in the figures given of them by Spachiusc. As to another instrument of the same author, the forfex dentatus, of which we have also an engraving in Spachius, it is expressly told, that it was to be used for the purpose of breaking down or crushing the head of the fetus?. This same power appears to have been possessed by the pieds de griffons of Ambrose Pary.% which was, however., more particularly intended by its inventor for the envelopement and extraction of the child’s head when separated from its trunk and left in utero. I need not add, that compressing fonvps might lie, and it is probable generally were, used for llie additional object of extraction. ' Again. Embryotomy forceps admit of another and very important subdivision; founded upon the different modes in which the opposite parts or halves of the instrument are connected together or adjusted for their common object of extraction. The different claws of Ambrose Fare’s pieds de griffons arc fastened together and impelled to act by an apparatus similar to that of the once celebrated specula matric.n. The structure of Fried’s l’orce]>sf partakes considerably of *'ie same sort of contrivance. Ail other instruments properly Ilip. J.oc. dial.—See also his Commentator, M. C. Rhemu*. Comment, vi. Spacch. Gi/nces. p. €33. b Smellie’s Preface. ‘ Albucasis apnd Spaechium, p. 44fi. 4 Idem, p. 447- c Ambr. Par. p. G08. ct sequent. f Voigt, de Cap. Infant. Abrupt. § xl. p. 46!), VOL. VIII.—,j*o. 4-7. 3 c](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b22351644_0007.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
