Obstetric forceps

identifier
ID 308
morphology
craft
holotype
MOT V 82.0569 a-b2 L=39cm WD=9cm WT=750gr. Inscription: image crown / asclepius sign.
holotype
MOT V 92.0197 a-b2 L=38cm WD=8cm WT=812gr. Inscription: [...]ERS A LIÈGE
alias
midwifery forceps (syn.)
description

These forceps were sometimes used during childbirth to retrieve a child.

Characteristic are the stainless steel, the wide jaws and the short arms. After all, it was not allowed to exert great force on the head. The arms of many forceps were connected without a pivot so that they could easily be taken apart. The physician could then safely push one part of the forceps to the left and the other to the right of the child's head. [MOT]