Smellie-type obstetrical forceps

Made:
1701-1800 in England
Forceps, obstetrical, Smellie, metal with leather covering Forceps, obstetrical, Smellie, metal with leather covering Forceps, obstetrical, Smellie, metal with leather covering Forceps, obstetrical, Smellie, metal with leather covering Forceps, obstetrical, Smellie, metal with leather covering Forceps, obstetrical, Smellie, metal with leather covering Forceps, obstetrical, Smellie, metal with leather covering Forceps, obstetrical, Smellie, metal with leather covering Forceps, obstetrical, Smellie, metal with leather covering

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Forceps, obstetrical, Smellie, metal with leather covering
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Forceps, obstetrical, Smellie, metal with leather covering
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Forceps, obstetrical, Smellie, metal with leather covering
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Forceps, obstetrical, Smellie, metal with leather covering
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Forceps, obstetrical, Smellie, metal with leather covering
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Forceps, obstetrical, Smellie, metal with leather covering
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Forceps, obstetrical, Smellie, metal with leather covering
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Forceps, obstetrical, Smellie, metal with leather covering
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Forceps, obstetrical, Smellie, metal with leather covering
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Forceps, obstetrical, Smellie, metal with leather covering, probably English, 18th century

These are short obstetrical forceps, following the design of the Scottish surgeon William Smellie, (1697-1763), which he described in 1751. The forcep blades are designed with two curves, the cephalic curve to fit the child's head and the pelvic curve to correspond to the curve of the mother's pelvis. The blades fit together in deep notches known as the English Lock. This pair of forceps is made out of metal covered in leather and would not have been very easy to clean.

Details

Category:
Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Contraception
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A500206
Materials:
metal and leather
Measurements:
overall: 45 mm x 330 mm x 70 mm, .3952 kg
type:
obstetrical forceps
credit:
Loan, Wellcome Trust