Description: In its infancy, the surgical tenaculum was a device used to stop hemorrhaging during surgery in the American civil war (predominantly during amputations) by providing a good grasp on blood vessels to then be tied off with silk ligature. Toward the end of the 19th century, a French gynecologist named Samuel Jean Pozzi further improved the tenaculum into a form of forceps with sharp-pointed hooks on either side after being inspired by the design of bullet extractors. Today, the newly improved device continues to be used in similar practices as during the civil war in addition to gynecologic procedures for stabilization of the cervix and uterus.
Origin: Circa 1860s; United States
Manufacturer: J&W Wood