506 
MR. NELSON’S FORCEPS. 
the night previous been kicked on the inner side of the tibia, about 
the middle of the bone. On examining the part, I perceived a few 
small wounds about the size of a person’s finger-nail, and a little 
swelling. I ordered fomentations and digestive liniment, and in- 
formed xMr. H. that a few weeks’ perfect rest would be required, 
as I was afraid the thigh-bone was fractured, though not parted. 
This advice Mr. H. completely ridiculed. “ Well,” said I, “ it is 
impossible for me to be certain, but I am very suspicious that it is 
the case ; and if you do take her out before the bone has had time 
to unite, which would require several weeks, you may break it 
the first time you do so.” The above treatment was continued 
until the afternoon of the 25th, when I had her led in hand gently 
for the distance of about one hundred yards, and the mare walked 
perfectly sound. The swelling and wounds appeared nearly to 
have disappeared ; still I advised Mr. Holmes as before, but he 
replied, “ Oh, I shall take her to ride to-morrow.” “ Well,” said 
I, “ you may break the leg if you do.” On the morning following 
Mr. Holmes accordingly mounted the mare, and, having ridden her 
about ten or twelve miles in the neighbourhood, brought her home 
at noon, and informed me that she had carried him “ like a stag.” 
He took her out again in the afternoon, and, when about a mile 
from home, snap went the thigh-bone while he was on the saddle. 
The mare was killed on the spot. I did not get to see the bone. 
Mr. Holmes afterwards informed me, that, if all the men in the 
world had told him, after being carried so well in the forenoon, 
such would have happened in the afternoon, he would not have 
believed them. 
Mr. Nelson’s Forceps. 
I perceive a short account by Mr. Cartwright, in your last Num- 
ber, of my forceps. I beg to state that if No. 1, which he says is 
too weak, slips off from the ears, lips, nose, tail, or any other part 
of the skin or extremities, when half the blades has hold, under or- 
dinary circumstances, with the pulling of one man, then they are too 
weak in the springs. But the tenth part of that strength, if applied 
advantageously either to pull or push back the foetus where it was 
most wanted, so that a rope could be applied, would frequently 
get over very difficult cases in a little time. I differ with Mr. 
Cartwright respecting No. 2, which he prefers for general pur- 
poses. I prefer No. 1, having now discontinued making Nos. 2 
and 3, except when they are ordered ; because No. 1 can be ap- 
plied to the nose of either calf or foal without injury, as well as the 
others, especially since he has those with ropes, too, for calves’ 
noses, which can be applied where a straight instrument cannot 
be. I have no doubt he will soon see them in the same light. 
