Forceps

“ When it has fallen off we make the extraction by means of a tooth forceps, or a stump forceps, or a forceps for extracting weapons (βελουλκοῦ) , or any other convenient instrument. And sometimes we make an incision in the flesh around it in the first place, if the wound do not admit the instrument’ (VI. lxxxvii) .
It is true that etymologically we are only entitled to translate βελουλκοῦ by ‘weapon-extractor’, but its association with the other two forceps shows pretty conclusively that a forceps is meant, and Celsus says weapons are to be extracted with the forceps under similar conditions. ”

“ If one works carefully the forceps do not suffer much. I have had one pair in almost constant use for several years; they have been used in the training of five beginners and are still practically uninjured. ”

“ We have several forceps of this type. There are in the Naples Museum three, one from Pompeii, two from Herculaneum (Deneffe) . One from my own collection is shown in Pl. XXVI, fig. 2. The points are narrow and rounded.
A very interesting form is seen in Pl. XXVII, fig. 4, which shows a forceps in the Thorwaldsen Museum, Copenhagen. It is 12 cm. long, of which 6 cm. of the upper end are solid and round. The remainder of the length is occupied by the blades of the forceps, each 5 mm. broad, except for 12 mm. at the extremity, where it expands into a leaf-shaped portion, 10 mm. ”

“ The third segment is the largest and, like a powerful thumb, acts with the opposing second segment as a forceps to pick up pellets of earth and small stones. The minute particles picked loose from the earth are raked together by the tip segment to make a pellet, which the forceps can carry or shove into the walls of the cavity. However, all parts of the body may come into use, for the hind legs and the abdomen may help shove earth aside and the head may carry earth plastered upon it. In vertical tunnels the animal braces its legs against the sides and, if disturbed, relaxes and drops down. ”

“ It had not intelligence enough to make anything like a mound for itself, though the inequalities were probably the result of its burrowing under the surface. Its temper was none of the best, for if it was disturbed with the forceps it would resent it fiercely. The mandibles would be opened, the abdomen curled up, and out would come the two vesicles as a means of defence. If the forceps were put near the mandibles, they would be seized, and the Beetle would hold on so tenaciously that it has often been lifted out of its bottle in this fashion. ”

“ First the blacksmith made a large pair of forceps, to pull the Dragon's teeth with. The handles of the forceps were so long that fifty men could take hold of them at one time. Then the people armed themselves with swords and spears and marched in a great body to the castle of the Purple Dragon. ”

“ Tarnier also, in introducing his axis traction forceps to the profession in 1877 (for an account of which see British Medical Journal, May 26, 1878) , proves by means of diagrams and figures that, “in pulling on the classical forceps, it is impossible to make the traction exactly in the line of the pelvic curve,” and that two forces are actually exerted—one in the direction of the inferior straight, and the other at right angles to this in the direction of the pubes, while the head tends downward in the pelvic curve—the resultant of these two forces. ”

“ The two branches of the forceps cross like scissor blades, and at their ends the jaws are formed in such a way as to project forwards and enclose a cavity 1 cm. deep and 18 mm. long. Over all the forceps is 18 cm. long. The jaws are finely toothed. There is in the same museum another instrument similar in all respects except that it is 1 cm. shorter, and that in each blade, which is 16 mm. long (Pl. XXX, fig. 2) , there is a small hole near the proximal end. A posterior view of a similar instrument is seen in [Pg 98] Pl. XXXI, fig. 1. It is from the find of the surgeon of Paris. ”

“ Rare as the combination of an antique forceps with another instrument is, we have one example of the combination of a rugine and a forceps, and, as it is admirably adapted for the extraction of nasal polypus, I think we are quite justified in considering it to be the instrument indicated by Paul. This instrument was found in the grave of the Paris surgeon. It is elegantly formed and is of one piece of bronze sawn down the middle. The upper part is surmounted by a rugine strongly curved, pointed at the tip and cutting on one edge. The rugine measures 3 cm. ”

“ If it is desired that they open in another direction this should be accomplished by turning the handle and not by adjusting the blade itself. If this rule be followed it will always be possible to tell by the position of the handle exactly where the blades are situated; whereas, if the jaws themselves are turned, confusion is sure to result. The forward-grasping forceps are always so adjusted that the jaws open in an up-and-down direction. On rare occasions it may be deemed desirable to turn the stylet of either forceps in some other direction relative to the handle. ”

“ Axis traction forceps are coming more and more into favor, Lusk's modification of Sarnier's forceps being used. Simpson's axis traction forceps is also much used in this country and in Germany. The form used by Dr. Lusk's assistant and in use in Karl Braun's maternite in Vienna, with a hinge jaw where the blade joins the shaft and traction handles, allows more motion of the head and has a number of other advantages.
Electricity is coming more and more in vogue as an oxystocic. It seems to hasten labor without increasing pain. ”

“ The men-midwives, who became extinct about that period, usually claimed merit for some instrument invented by themselves, and he took pride in a modification of the obstetric forceps, which measured 111⁄4 inches in length and had a breadth between the blades of 23⁄4 inches. ”

“ Never a foe they found me shun.
Fergus
Fierce is he in rage; his trust
In his blade's deep searching thrust:
Plates of horn protect his side,
Pierced by none his strength who tried.
Cuchulain
Fergus, much thine arms excel;
Cease, this tale no longer tell
Land is none, nor battle-field
Where to his my strength must yield.
Fergus
He is fierce, with scores can fight,
Spear nor sword can on him bite;
From that strength, a hundred's match,
Hard 'twill be the prize to snatch.
Cuchulain
Yea! Ferdia's power I know;
How from foughten field we go ”

“ A shield, wound-giving, with engraved edge, on him, without; a broad spear, a javelin with a drop of blood along the shaft; and a spear its match with the blood of enemies along its edge in his hand; a great wound-giving sword on his shoulders.'
'Who is that, O Fergus?' said Ailill.
'The man who has so come does not avoid battle or combat or strife: that is, Loegaire the Victorious, Mac Connaid Meic Ilech, from Immail from the north,' said Fergus.
'Another great company has come to Slemon Midi to the hill,' said Mac Roth. 'A warrior thick-necked, fleshy, fair, before that company. ”

“ Then I called to Grostef as I felt the villain draw out the steel and saw the light of unsated murder lust redden his eyes.
With a desperate effort I seized his blade, and though it cut and gashed my hands through and through as the man tugged and twisted it to wrest it from me, I held on till the villain put his foot against my chest and dragged the weapon away, despite my most desperate effort. Then he drew it back to plunge it into the Czar's heart. But at that moment I saw Grostef's great blade swing in the air with tremendous force, and sever the miscreant's head from his body. ”

“ He gropes for the fork, seizes it and drives it with all his force against his heart, then he snatches up a shoe and strikes with it against the handle as hard as he can. We call for help and three men are necessary to take the fork away from him. The blunt prongs had already penetrated deep. He abuses us all night so that no one can go to sleep. ”

“ Fergus heard the rush of heavy steps coming down the staircase and, just as three other men rushed into the room, he almost clove his opponent's head in two, with a tremendous blow from his claymore.
Two of the newcomers fired their pistols hastily--both missed--then rushed at him with their swords; and as he was hotly engaged with them the third, who was the sentry who had been placed over the women, advanced slowly, with his pistol pointed, with the intention of making sure of his aim. ”

“ Forge and Lyon alone can be said to be up to the average bulk of your opponents. Ennis, your trusty goalkeeper, is certainly tall, but see how thin he looks! Almost like a third goalpost, you might say. Your forwards are fleet-footed to a man, and your halves are like terriers, ever worrying the foe.
But you can't get away from the fact that weight plays a big part in footer, and when a mass of bone and brawn has half a gale behind it to help it whenever it charges you, why, phew! you need all the pluck you can muster to pick yourselves up and start in afresh! ”

“ This method does not upset the metal so rapidly, because the force of the hammer blows jars the hand and arm which hold the bar.
Upsetting by ramming or jarring is thrusting the metal forcibly against some heavy object like the surface plate, the swage block, or the anvil. Figure 38 shows upsetting by this process. This method is very effective and is used mostly when the metal is long enough to be held with the hands, as shown.
Fig. 38.—Upsetting by Ramming.
56. Forming is a term generally applied to the making of a forging with special tools, dies, or forms. ”

“ Now I will tell you what to do. I will shoot my arrow. Then if Quenisehquney jumps in to fight you must send your arrow into him. By that time I will be ready with another arrow.”
“I am ready,” said Spotted Deer. “See, there are his eyes. He sounds mad.”
Running Fox discharged his arrow. They heard it strike, and then a terrifying scream rang through the night. A moment later a long dark form crouched before them. They heard the tail swishing rapidly among the ferns, and read a warning in the flashing eyes.
“Do something!” cried Running Fox, as he prepared another arrow. ”

“ Now, when a Person scates, he is acted upon by these two Forces, as other Bodies in Motion are. It is the Projectile Force which throws him upon the Outside of the Scate, till he has got quite out of the Center of Gravity, by which Means he would be pulled to the Ground by the Centripetal Force, if he was not supported by the Projectile Force, which is strong enough to make Head against the Centripetal for a little while (in the same Manner as it is able to keep a Stone in the Air till it is spent) and by that Time the Person scating has recovered himself into an erect Posture. ”

“ Forge caught this hefty horseman torturing Fluffy Jim, the village idiot, and forthwith dotted him one on the beak—that is, I should say, Forge valiantly took the—side of the downtrodden and the Oppressed, and with his trusty quarterstaff—I mean to say, his good right arm—laid the tyrant low! ”

“ Grosskopf and Grossmund tore wide, flat boulders out of the mountain [161] and set them up for a forge and an anvil in the market-place. Grosshand came rattling back with all his pots swinging in his hands and strung clattering about his neck.
And then giants, hammerers, apprentices, set up such a clinking and a clanking and a puffing and a blowing as never was heard in all Germany before. All day long the great forge flame swept skywards. All day long the five-and-twenty apprentices swung their sledges while Herr Klinkerklanker shouted orders. ”

“ I swear my thrust and lunge were a fraction of a second quicker than any man is supposed to thrust and lunge. I won the fraction of a second. By that fraction of a second too late Fortini attempted to deflect my blade and impale me on his. But it was his blade that was deflected. It flashed past my breast, and I was in—inside his weapon, which extended full length in the empty air behind me— and my blade was inside of him, and through him, heart-high, from right side of him to left side of him and outside of him beyond.
It is a strange thing to do, to spit a live man on a length of steel. ”

“ Freckles, standing on the curb, forgot himself in his cotton shirt, corduroys, and his belt to which his wire-cutter and pliers were hanging, and gazed as a man gazes when first he sees the woman he adores with all her charms enhanced by appropriate and beautiful clothing. ”

“ Then Fridleif began thus:
"Since thou art a giant of three bodies, invincible, and almost reachest heaven with thy crest, why does this silly sword bind thy thigh? Why doth a broken spear gird thy huge side? Why, perchance, dost thou defend thy stalwart breast with a feeble sword, and forget the likeness of thy bodily stature, trusting in a short dagger, a petty weapon? Soon, soon will I balk thy bold onset, when with blunted blade thou attemptest war. ”

“ FERGUS. Time is it, O Cuchullin, to arise, Time for the fearful combat to prepare; For hither with the anger in his eyes, To fight thee comes Ferdiah called the Fair. CUCHULLIN. Here I have been, nor has the task been light, Holding all Erin's warriors at bay: No foot of ground have I in recreant flight Yielded to any man or shunned the fray. FERGUS. When roused to rage, resistless in his might, Fearless the man is, for his sword ne'er fails: A skin-protecting coat of armour bright He wears, 'gainst which no valour e'er prevails. ”

“ Hardening his neck muscles until they covered the delicate parts beneath like bands of steel, the detective seized his enemy's extended arm in his two hands, one at the wrist, one at the elbow, and as his trained fingers sought the painful pressure points, his two free arms started a resistless torsion movement on the captured arm. There is no escape from this movement, no enduring its excruciating pain; to a man taken at such a disadvantage one of two things may happen. ”