92 



OBSTETRICS. 



labour becomes dangerous for mother or child, and where the dan- 

 ger can only be removed by hastening the labour. 



Fis. 32. 



'd 



It is meant, when the force27s are used, to supply with them the 

 insufficiency, or want of labour-pains; but, so long as the pains 

 continue, there is reason to hope they will produce their effect, and 

 therefore justify waiting. 



The Jirst stage of labour must be completed, that is, the os uteri 

 must be dilated, and the membranes broken, before the attempt is 

 made to apply the forceps. They are never to be used as dilators. 

 Care must be taken, however, that, from an aversion to the employ- 

 ment of instruments, their use is not too long delayed, and thus the 

 benefit to be derived from their application be entirely lost. 



The most favourable case for their application is, where the head 

 is at the inferior strait ; the nearer the head is to the external organs, 

 the more readily may the instrument be adjusted to it, especially if 

 rotation have taken place. It is very rarely, if ever, necessary to 

 apply therti, where the head has not yet passed the superior strait. 

 The forceps should always, if possible, be applied over the ears of 

 the child ; it is a good rule, therefore, always to find this part, before 

 proceeding to apply them. 



