Wechsler1912

1912 - instructions to wait for pulsations to cease before clamping

Wechsler (1912) published a brief note in the American Journal of Obstetrics

and Diseases of

Children on use of an obstetric clamp, stating:

"I desire to present to the profession a little device for use on the cord

instead of

the usual ligature." [

p85].

Wechsler reported that on a recent visit to Vienna, he had witnessed the

method of clamping

and dressing without ligature in the Schauta Clinic. The

clamp is pictured and noted to be

smaller than the "ordinary Hemostat" used

in Vienna. The rationale for use of a clamp was that

it lessens the danger of

infection. Its use was described as follows:

"Clamping the cord is accomplished in the following way:

1. Wait until pulsation has ceased;

2. Clamp cord about one inch from umbilicus;

3. Cut cord even with clamp.

The infant is then removed by the nurses and the clamp allowed to remain

stump of cord for fifteen minutes, or about the time the placenta has been

expelled

then the clamp is ready to be taken off." [

p86]

2. Wechsler BB. Umbilical clamp. Am J Obstet Dis Women Child 1912; 60:85-6.

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