Instruments for Section 



605 



The instrument is said to be highly effective, but according to 

 reports by some of those who are its most enthusiastic admirers, 

 it frequently cannot be applied to a part which is to be ampu- 

 tated. The instrument weighs approximately 10 pounds, and is 

 consequently quite cumbersome to handle. Its expense is about 

 $30 in America. 



Similar objections apply to other embryotomes. They are so 

 large and heavy that they are exceedingly difficult to introduce 

 into the genital passages and, once this has been done, the part 

 which is to be amputated must present in a position essentially 

 perpendicular to the long axis of the pelvic canal, since otherwise 

 the instrument cannot be applied to it. 



Aside from their expense, their cumbersomeness in carrying 

 and the difficulty or impossibility of applying them to the desired 

 part, they are exceedingly difficult to properly care for and dis- 

 infect. When once applied, their action is generally satisfactory, 

 if not ideal. The extractor of Pflanz, Fig. 100, is designed 

 through its powerful mechanism to tear away a fetal limb, the 

 ring at the distal end receiving the entire impact of the tension 

 upon the limb by the chain, thus relieving the maternal parts 

 from any pressure whatever. 



Chain-Saws. Somewhat closely allied to the embryotomes 

 are the chain-saws, like that of Persson, Fig. 103 a, or the chain 

 sector of Masch, Fig. 103 b, which have been recommended for 



Fig. 103. Obstetric Saws and Sectors. 



a, Persson's obstetric saw. b. Chain sector of Masch. 



c, Obstetric saw of Ohmke. 



the same purposes as the embyrotomes and are operated by being 

 passed around the limb or neck of the fetus which is to be 



