08 May 2023 , 11:03
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Chainsaws are the stuff of horror film legend and with good reason. You only need to look into the metal jaws to go weak in the knees, and don't get us started on the terrifying sound.
But it turns out the menacing tools are even more gruesome than most imagined as they were first created for a horrifying purpose.
People have been left terrified after learning about the dark history on TikTok. Sadly, the tool was not made to chop wood as you might reasonably expect.
Instead the tool was designed in the 19th century to cut through a woman's pelvis during childbirth, as an aid in a highly dangerous procedure known as a symphysiotomy.
It was hoped the tool would help save women and babies during childbirth (Wikipedia)A symphysiotomy is an outdated medical procedure whereby a woman's pubic symphysis – the joint holding the pelvis together – is severed so the birth canal can be widened during labour. The procedure was initially performed using a sharp knife, which proved to be very messy and slow.
'I don't want children staying up late at weekends - I really need adult time'
In the year 1780, two Scottish doctors, John Aitken and James Jeffray wanted to improve upon this method, according to the website Chainsaw Guru, and so invented a teethed tool with a rotating blade, powered by a hand crank.
At this time, the chainsaw would have been relatively small, around the same size as a kitchen knife. It proved to be successful in improving the chances of survival among mothers and babies but left mums with lifelong health concerns.
TikTok user @bootstheorangecat was so horrified after learning this gruesome historical fact, she uploaded a video of her expressions before and after reading up on it. Others who'd previously had no clue about this part of medical history were left equally sickened.
One person shuddered: "No because I thought it was for torture and it is WORSE."
Another commented: "I feel so bad for women back then. A third person shivered: "Yup. Things you can never forget."