530 



OBSTETRICAL OPERATIONS. 



small thumb-screw (7, 8, 9) secm-es the two portions of the stalk. 

 The female screw is of iron or copper, the flange being of wood, and 

 its circumference provided with two handles to hold it firmly when the 

 machine is in use. The male screw (H) is of iron, and screwed to the 

 right ; one extremity articulates with the turning-hook (I) ; it is 

 screwed in the contrary direction to the principal portion, so as not to 

 become unscrewed during the operation ; the other end has a four- 

 branched windlass which can be removed at will. 



To use the machine, the animal is made to lie ; the cords are 

 attached to the foetus in the usual manner ; the windlass handle is put 

 on its place ; the screwed stalk (H) is introduced into the female screw 

 to about as far as J ; the collar is applied to the animal's croup, and 

 the three long stalks are fixed — one end in the collar, the other in the 



Fig. 197. 

 Baron's Obstetric Machine. 



flange. An assistant keeps the machine in equilibrium by placing one 

 of his hands on one of the forked handles of the flange, while the other 

 handle rests firmly on the ground. Another assistant, the coi-d attached 

 to the foetus being fixed in the hook at the end of the chain (K), slowly 

 turns the windlass in such a direction as will bring the extremity of the 

 stalk (I) towards the flange, while the operator superintends the extrac- 

 tion. It will thus be seen that a strong traction is exerted on the foetus, 

 while a proportionate pressure is transmitted to the croup of the parent 

 through the three long rods — the machine producing extension and 

 counter-extension at the same time, while it also allows a sustained 

 traction to be obtained — without jerks or checks, and as powerful as 

 may be desired. 



This machine has been well tested in France, and received the highest 

 praise. 



