104 DISEASES OF THE TEETH. 



through the open eye with the ' tommy/ as rapidly as pos- 

 sible, winds it round tmtil he feels the grasp is secure. Any 

 amount of power can be thus obtained; for as the screw 

 threads through one handle, the shoulder presses against the 

 other, and thus forcing the claws together, fixes them upon 

 the substance which may be placed between them. When 

 this is done, the operator closes or folds up the free lever, 

 and using both hands, has at his command a power which 

 will not necessitate employment of his utmost strength. 



"The above woodcut depicts the forceps as they appear 

 when put together. The advantages which these forceps 

 have over the tooth-key in common use, are so obvious, 

 that the reader will not require they should be pointed 

 out The benefits which this instrument confers, are in- 

 deed great; neither can it be supposed that the principle can 

 be changed, or its adaptation improved upon. For its pur- 

 pose, the thing appears perfect; and I can speak confidently 

 as to the admirable manner in which it acts. One caution, 

 however, may not be unnecessary. All surgical instruments 

 are capable of being abused, and in exact proportion to their 

 utility is their liability to abuse. With Mr Gowing's forceps 

 a horse's jaw could be easily broken, or ne who did not know 

 the power of the screw, would, if he kept on winding the 

 handle, crush the tooth it was his intention to secure. So 

 much strength is gained that the judgment must be employed 

 to regulate it. Huge as the instrument looks, it requires 

 delicacy in the hand which uses it. With such a tool at his 

 command, a child is in power equal to a giant; and the man 

 therefore must exercise his mind rather than strain his 

 muscles, when he has to operate with it. In cautious hands, 

 it gives every facility that could be desired, and is both more 

 certain in its action, and more expeditious in ite results than 

 anything of the kind which we at present possess, besides 



