Factoid of the day

The previously linked article on medicines in that Roman shipwreck mentioned similar medicines, surgical tools and obstetrical forceps had been found in Pompey...

so who invented forceps? EMedicine notes:

The history of obstetrical forceps is long and, often, colorful. Sanskrit writings from approximately 1500 BC contain evidence of single and paired instruments; Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Persian writings and pictures refer to forceps that were originally used for extraction following fetal demise to save the mother’s life.

related item:



Susruta was the Indian equivalent to Hippocrates, and probably lived between 800 and 1000 BC...Wikipedia article...his book is at internet archives

and youtube has a simple "How to" do a forceps delivery....

actually, this is the common "outlet forceps": the real problem deliveries are mid pelvic arrest and narrow outlet with a high head...usually a Caesarian section is done for this now.