Crotchet hooks, Europe, 1801-1900
Crochet hooks were destructive tools. They removed a dead foetus from within the mother’s body. This pair of double crochet hooks can be used individually, or slotted together and used in a scissor-like action. The relatively simple design was inserted into the mother’s birth canal and hooked onto part of the child. The sturdy handles gave the physician good grip when extracting the body. The crochet hooks extracted the whole body or parts of the body. This design is attributed to French male midwife or 'accoucheur' Jacques Mesnard (1685-1746).
Object number:
A615591
Related Themes and Topics
Glossary:
Glossary: obstetrics
A branch of medicine dealing with the care of women. This care occurs during pregnancy, childbirth, and the period of recovery from childbirth.
Glossary: obstetrical crotchet
No description.