Smellie's perforatorSmellie, William (1697-1763)Thoms, Herbert (1885-1972)This is an instrument for removing a fetus. William Smellie (1697 - 1763), British obstetrician, designed this perforator to work like a pair of scissors. The operator was required to use both hands to open the blades and cut the tissue. The end of the short pointed blades has a shoulder, which prevents the device from being introduced to too great a depth. This example includes a pin lock.still image