Instruments for Seetion 603 



the desired point carefully guarded by the operator's hand and a 

 drawing incision is made as the instrument is withdrawn, the 

 operator's hand still accompanying the hook and controUing the 

 extent and degree of the cut. The sharp pointed ones are very 

 dangerous to handle, and if they are to be used at all I he hook 

 should be very small and short, so that it can be easily guarded. 

 The long, stiff handle makes it exceedingly difficult to safely 

 guard the instrument while it is being introduced, so that any 

 violent expulsive efforts or accidental movements of the mother 

 are liable to cause a displacement of the instrument, with painful 

 consequences to the hand of the operator or to the uterus of the 

 mother. 



The objections are overcome in some of these instruments by 

 making the hook probe-pointed, like in h Fig. 106. This instru- 

 ment is easily and safely handled and proves highly useful 

 wherever it may be applied. The obstetrist may readily sever 

 the fetal ribs with it after evisceration, or may divide the pelvic 

 symphysis, or the pelvic girdle at other points, or accomplish other 

 operations. They cannot be used for cutting the skin unless an 

 incision be first made, through which the probe or sphere may 

 be introduced. 



Embryotomes. The group of instruments known as embry- 

 otomes are of great variety in design and purpose. Some of the 

 simpler ones do not differ essentially from the cutting hooks. 

 The embryotom of Dopheide, Fig. 97, consists essentially of a 

 closed knife attached to a long and rigid handle. When introduced 

 to the part upon which it is desired to operate, the instrument 

 opens automatically when the operator begins to withdraw it, 

 and may thus serve to cut deeply and freely through the soft 

 tissues. In case it is desired to stop the incision at a given point, 

 it is simply necessary to push the instrument backward again, 

 when it closes, and can be grasped by the hand of the operator, 

 which has been in contact with it at all times, and be easily with- 

 drawn. 



The embryotom of Oehmke, which appears to be a very prac- 

 tical instrument, has a lance-like blade which is exposed by press- 

 ing upon a spring with the index finger and is kept exposed as 

 long as the pressure is continued. 



Most embryotomes. Figs. loi and 102, consist of more complex 

 machines, designed to cut, crush or tear through any portion of a 



