MECHAXICAL EXTRACTIOX OF THE F(ETUS. 



511 



cord. This is composed of a somewhat short piece of iron wire, about 



the thickness of a goose-quill, and bent a little round, the length and 



curve varying with the part to be secured. One end is turned to form 



a small ring, while the other is bent to make a hook, 



a little longer than wide. A cord being attached to 



the ring end, the wire is passed round the part it is 



sought to seize ; the hook end remains free, and 



afterwards receives the traction cord, serv'ing to 



form a running noose on the part. This porte- 



cord is very simple, and may be made on the 



spot when required ; it has proved most useful for 



securing the neck or hocks. 



Binz's pass-cord (Fig. 174) is much used in 

 Germany. It is sufliciently large to pass round 

 the doubled neck of the fa'tus, while its shortness 

 allows it to be easily manipulated in the uterus. It 

 is from twelve to sixteen inches long, and made of 

 wood or iron ; at the bent end is an opening through 

 which the cord passes. The instrument (named a 

 Gcburtssunile by the Germans) is passed to the 

 middle of the cord, and may then be introduced 

 into the uterus, where, from its curvature and its 

 shortness, it can be pushed behind or between the 

 limbs, in the double of a bent neck, etc. The hand 

 seeks the half of the cord on the opposite side 

 of the part, and pulls it into the vagina ; the in- 

 strument is then withdrawn, and the part is ready to be pulled at by 

 the cord left encircling it. 



The ordinary curved pass-cord is introduced into the genital canal in 

 the same manner as the other form, but with only a loop or ring — no 

 noose — at the end of the cord ; the curved portion is pushed around 

 the part to be secured, and the hand, leaving it, is passed to the oppo- 

 site side of the part, where it searches for the loop or ring, which, when 

 found, is drawn into the genital canal. The instrument is then with- 

 drawn, the cord remaining around the part ; the free end of the cord is 

 passed through the loop or ring, and being pulled at, the limb, neck, 

 body, or whatever it may be, is secured in the noose so formed, and 

 traction can in this way be directly exerted upon it. 



Fig. 17). 

 Binz's Pobtk-Cord. 



SECTION III.— CROTCHETS OR HOOKS. 



Obstetrical crotchets or hooks are iron or steel instruments of variable 

 dimensions, more or less curved at one end — which is blunt, sharp, or 



Fig. 175. 

 Short Blckt Crotchet. 



Fig. 170. 

 Blcxt Fikoeb Crotchet. 



pointed — the other end having a ring (Fig. 176) or eyelet (Fig, 175) if 

 short, a handle if long. The latter is from thirty to thirty-six inches 



