LEVRET

LEVRET (old pronunciation Levret) Andre (Andre Levret, 1703-80), famous French obstetrician of the 18th century. After receiving good general surgical training, L. completely devoted himself to obstetric activity. Possessing a great gift as an inventor, L. significantly improved obstetric forceps, which had just begun to come into use at that time. He gave them, among other things, the so-called pelvic curve. This last improvement, introduced by L. mainly for preserving the perineum, proved very valuable in other respects. Along with improving the forceps, L. developed the technique of their application, as well as the indications and contraindications for this operation. In addition to forceps, the inventor's talent of L. manifested itself in the invention and improvement of other instruments. Among these should be noted an instrument for tying a ligature applied to the stalk of deeply seated polyps, both uterine and nasopharyngeal. L. was an outstanding teacher of obstetrics, and among his students were many foreign doctors who came to Paris to listen to his lectures. Shortly before his death, L. wrote a small guide to breastfeeding. It was published separately after his death (1781). L.'s main works: "Observations sur les causes et les accidents de plusieurs accouchements laborieux" (Paris, 1st ed., 1747; 4th ed., 1770); "Observations sur la cure radicale de plusieurs polypes de l'utérus, de la gorge et du nez" (Paris, 1749); "L'art des accouchements, demontre par des principes de physique et de mechanique" (P., 1st ed., 1753; 4th ed., 1766); "Observations sur le traitement des enfants" (P., 1781).