Description of an Obstetrical Forceps. 147 



individual care, more secure and steady, by holding 

 the hook with one finger. 



On the outside of the handle of the left branch, 

 there is a groove, in which there is a small iron plate, 

 or bar (C. D.), which is four inches long, about four 

 lines in breadth, and near two lines thick. This 

 plate is toothed, having ten excisions, and nine teeth. 

 At one of its ends (D.), it is fixed to the lower end 

 of the handle in such a manner, that it can be moved 

 and turned over to the lower end of the right handle, 

 which in a groove (E.) has a small iron pin, adapted 

 to the reception of any of the excisions of the bar. 



In my own practice, I have, certainly, found this 

 contrivance of service, in preventing the two branches 

 of the instrument from receding from each other. 

 With a view to obtain this advantage from those 

 forms of forceps which are not furnished with such a 

 bar, some practitioners are accustomed to tie the 

 handles together, by means of a handkerchief. 



I have not yet seen any description of Mr. Her- 

 holdt's forceps, and am, therefore, uncertain, whether 

 he has had any other views, besides those which I 

 have mentioned, in the improvements with which he 

 has enriched this instrument. 



Philadelphia, February 24>th, 

 1805. 



