Instruments of Destruction
When the child had expired and the mother's life was in danger, it was imperative that the dead fetus be removed immediately. A number of gruesome and exotic instruments were used by physicians in the nineteenth century for this purpose.
Nouvelles Démonstrations D’Accouchemens by J.P. Maygrier
illustration Smellie’s perforator in use
mid nineteenth century instruments of destruction and for removal of the dead fetus
(left) Thomas’ perforator; (top center) Holmes’ Cranioclast by S. Maw, Davis perforator,
Jacquemier’s embryotome caché by Mathieu; (right) plain crochet
The Principles and Practice of Obstetric Medicine (1836) by A. Davis
use of the Ramsbotham cranioclast
The Principles and Practice of Obstetric Medicine (1836) by A. Davis
abortion with crochet forceps
The Principles and Practice of Obstetric Medicine (1836) by A. Davis
use of the guarded crochet
a guarded crochet by WB Millard, mid nineteenth century
exhibition Van Huevel’s forceps
This instrument was used for bisecting the skull prior to removal of the dead fetus.
Trepan de Leisurg et Diwisch by Thuerrigl
The skull was perforated so that extraction forceps could remove the remainder of the bone.
Cephalotribe du Dr. Bailly by Klein Glitsehka Gand
This was another instrument used to perforate the skull.
Tarnier’s basiotribe by Colln