On an alteration in the handle of the forceps, &c. / by H. Davies.

  • Davies, H.
Date:
[1820]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On an alteration in the handle of the forceps, &c. / by H. Davies. 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.

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    in. I On an Alteration in the Handle of the Forceps, fyc. By H. Davies, Member of the Royal College of Surgeons, Lecturer on Midwifery and on the Diseases of Women and Children, Surgeon in Ordinary, and Surgeon-Accou- cheur to the Western Dispensary for Complaints of Women and Children, and General Lying-in Charity, &c. &c. [ am induced to give publicity to an alteration in the handle of the midwifery forceps, which I think, from its utility, deserves to be more generally known than it appears to be. To simplify an instrument without diminishing its utility, may be considered as an improvement; and where, under certain circumstances, the efficiency of the instrument is by this means increased, it will, I presume, be considered a greater improvement. The alteration to which I allude is the addition of a pin to one handle of the forceps, and a corresponding depression or groove in the other, by which the necessity for tying the handles with a napkin or tape will be done away with, and which, to say the least of it, is extremely troublesome. I am well aware that some gentlemen do not confine the handles at all; but the generality, I believe, do: and something of this sort is thought necessary from the usual directions that are given respecting it. This improvement was made by Mr. Clarke, and has been mentioned by him in his lectures for some years past. The pin should be made of brass, or some firm metal, and be at least three quarters of an inch long, and placed on the inner side, and near the extremity of one of the handles. The groove on the inside of the opposite handle should be neatly adapted for the reception of the pin in its lateral direction, but should be larger in the longitudinal one; as when the forceps are applied, and the handles brought together, the surfaces not being completely parallel, the pin would not otherwise pass in the depression. By the fitting well on the sides, no lateral motion will be allowed, and every advantage of firmness and steadiness will be obtained which the tape affords. The advantages of the pin and groove over the tape or napkin are: — 1. That no additional apparatus is required to the forceps when applied, and the handles are grasped with more ease.
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