Palfijin obstetrical forceps, Europe, 1720-1730

Made:
1720-1730 in Europe
Forceps, obstetrical, Palfyn, steel and wood

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Forceps, obstetrical, Palfyn, steel and wood
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Forceps, obstetrical, Palfyn, steel and wood, two separate sections, possibly a model

Jan Palfijin (1650-1730), or Palfyn, introduced these obstetrical forceps in 1716. They aided difficult childbirths. The spoons or ‘iron hands’ as he called them, gripped the baby’s head. They could be used separately or tied together.

This was one of many designs produced from the early 1700s onwards.