Blunt hook and fillet, Europe, 1871-1930

Blunt hook and fillet combined, plated steel, brass and whalebone, probably late 19th, early 20th century

Blunt hooked instruments are one of the oldest obstetrical instruments. They mostly sped the baby’s process down the birth canal or repositioned the child, especially in case of breech births. This is when a baby sits horizontally within the womb rather than vertically (head first). This blunt hook has a whalebone fillet attached. A fillet was a flexible appliance used to loop material around the baby, usually at the head. The physician or obstetrician then gently pulled the tape to assist delivery. The hook and fillet combination folds up by loosening a small screw pin. This is for storage and ease of use.