A cephalotribe was a medical instrument used in
obstetrics
Obstetrics is the field of study concentrated on pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. As a medical specialty, obstetrics is combined with gynecology under the discipline known as obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN), which is a surg ...
to crush the skull of
stillborn
Stillbirth is typically defined as fetal death at or after 20 or 28 weeks of pregnancy, depending on the source. It results in a baby born without signs of life. A stillbirth can result in the feeling of guilt or grief in the mother. The ter ...
fetuses (cephalotripsy). It was used in cases of
obstructed labor
Obstructed labour, also known as labour dystocia, is the baby not exiting the pelvis because it is physically block during childbirth although the uterus contracts normally. Complications for the baby include not getting enough oxygen which may ...
(dystocia) to aid
delivery.
[W.L. Richardson (January 3, 1878).]
Recent progress in obstetrics
''The Boston Medical and Surgical Journal
''The New England Journal of Medicine'' (''NEJM'') is a weekly medical journal published by the Massachusetts Medical Society. It is among the most prestigious peer-reviewed medical journals as well as the oldest continuously published one.
His ...
'' 10–3.
See also
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Cranioclast
A cranioclast (from Greek κρανίον ''kranion'' "head, scull" and -κλάστης ''-klastes'' "breaker") is surgical instrument akin to a strong forceps. It was once used to crush and then extract the skull of a fetus so as to facilitate del ...
*
Puerperal fever
Postpartum infections, also known as childbed fever and puerperal fever, are any bacterial infections of the female reproductive tract following childbirth or miscarriage. Signs and symptoms usually include a fever greater than , chills, lower a ...
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Instruments used in general surgery
There are many different Surgery, surgical specialties, some of which require very specific kinds of Surgical instrument, surgical instruments to perform.
General surgery is a specialty focused on the Abdomen, abdominal contents, as well as the ...
References
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Surgical instruments