CANINE 0BSTETR1CY. 
85 
ment which is simultaneously to pass we appear to be increasing 
the obstruction. However, by compressing the head with the end 
of the finger it is in some degree forced to conform to the diameter 
of the passage, which the gelatinous development of the pup at 
the time of birth readily enables it to do. Moreover, the hazard of 
injury being done if the instrument should lose its hold is guarded 
against; for should the hook slip, the point would be receivedupon 
the end of the finger before it could catch the soft parts. However, 
the operator will feel the hold giving way long before it is entirely 
lost, and will be enabled to rectify the occurrence in the majority 
of cases before there is a chance of accident. The finger, therefore, 
becomes a sensible guide to the operator, and by its employment the 
traction is rendered more firm and steady. But above all, care 
should be taken to have the instrument perfectly blunt, and the 
beaks of the hooks not too long. A sharp point might, at the 
first glance, seem more likely to answer the purpose in view* ; but 
its employment would be attended with danger, and on being tested 
it would be found more apt to tear away. In fact, the sharper the 
point, the less firm would be the hold, since the substance to be 
secured is somewhat of a pulpy nature ; whereas, by using as broad 
and flat a point as possible the force is exerted on a larger surface, 
and the grasp is proportionably the more likely to be retained, the 
object being not to rend the foetus or tear it away, but to gently 
pull it through the vagina, using only so much violence as the 
judgment assures us is imperative for the accomplishment of the 
purpose. 
My present paper has extended to such length, that I shall be 
occupying too much of your valuable space if I attempt now to 
dwell upon the proper time for resorting to the use of this instru- 
ment, or the means which ought to be tried before it is employed. 
These are matters which I fear have been too little thought about ; 
and yet by not properly attending to them, the power to shew our 
ability in overcoming an obstacle may be the means of creating 
consequences that shall prove worse than those which have been 
destroyed. The best instrument is a dangerous weapon in unskilful 
hands, and should never be touched save by him who has learnt 
to interpret the symptoms which announce its employment to be 
necessitated. 
To that part of the subject I will, with your permission, devote 
a future paper, and conclude the present by some remarks upon a 
matter in which the profession is deeply interested ; viz. 
VOL. xx. 
N 
