Reprinted from the New York Medical Journal 
for April 5, 1890. 
THE SHEET-SLING IN FORCEPS DELIVERIES.* 
A NOTE 
By ROBERT L. DICKINSON, M. D., 
BROOKLYN, 
LECTURER ON OBSTETRICS, LONG ISLAND COLLEGE HOSPITAL. 
"A simple thing is this locomotive," said a friend of 
mine. " We have invented away its complicated parts." 
We need to invent away the complicated obstetric devices. 
Here is a small contribution toward that end which claims 
not originality, but every-day usefulness. 
The crutches devised to steady the flexed lower limbs 
during operations do their work well, but are too cumbrous 
to carry. The plan shown in the sketch is a satisfactory 
substitute. A sheet is rolled and passed behind the neck 
and under the bent knees, and the thighs are flexed as far 
as possible. The extreme flexion of the knee gives the ham 
such a solid grip on the sheet that no sidewise slipping can 
A simple harness for forceps operations. 
occur, and the knees can be adjusted at any distance apart. 
The patient balances herself. She can not kick. The only 
assistant required is the one who gives the chloroform and 
" hands things." It is a good friend in low forceps-deliv- 
eries, in breech-extractions, in easy versions, and in restora- 
tion of the perinseum. Even in the severer cases that are 
major operations and require ether, operating-table, and 
assistants, it helps. For Sims's position it should go back 
of the shoulder on the upper side. 
* Presented before the Medical Society of the State of New York at 
its eighty-fourth annual meeting.