Professor of Physiology and Lecturer on Gynæcology in the Medical
Department of Western Reserve University, Cleveland, O.
The accompanying wood-cuts represent the forceps recently introduced to
the profession by Dr. Breus, formerly first assistant in the clinic of
Prof. Carl Braun, Von Fernwald, in Vienna.[1]
Footnote 1:
Archiv für Gynäcologie XX Band 2 Heft.
It is the simplest in construction of the so-called axis traction
forceps, and is specially designed for the extraction of the head
presenting high above the pelvic brim. In size, shape, curves, handles,
lock, etc., it is an exact model of the J. Y. Simpson forceps—the
favorite instrument of the Vienna school.
[Illustration: Fig. 1.]
Unlike the ordinary forceps, however, it is constructed with a
hinge-joint (_a_ Fig. 2) at the angle of the fenestrum with the shaft,
which permits of a movement of the blades through an arc of about 40°.
An elbow on the lower margin of the blade arrests the further movement
in the downward direction, and a prolongation of the upper fenestrum of
the blade, in the form of an arm (_b_), is continued backward parallel
to the shafts. This arm turns at an angle of 100° in front of the lock
and terminates in an eye, through which the split pin seen at the side
of the instrument passes. The pin fits loosely in the eyes and
restricts, while still permitting considerable latitude of movement to
the blades. At the suggestion of several gentlemen to whom the
instrument was shown, the shaft has been lengthened nearly one inch. In
other respects the forceps is an exact counterpart of those now used in
the lying-in department of the General Hospital in Vienna.
[Illustration: Fig. 2.]
The principal advantages secured by these forceps are: