title: Peseshkef: the first special-purpose surgical instrument.
abstract: The Peseshkef, a prehistoric flint knife in the shape of a fish tail, was used in Egypt to cut the umbilical cord at birth, circa 5000 BC. This was the first special-purpose surgical instrument. Because of the importance of rebirth in the Egyptian religion, a stylized knife with magical properties became part of the equipment for the "opening of the mouth" ceremony to permit a mummy to partake of nourishment in the afterlife. It also became the emblem of the birth goddess, Meskhenet.
authors.affiliation: California State University, San Bernardino.
authors.forename: W B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Harer
mesh_terms: D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000266:history / Q000295:instrumentation; D000076144:Egypt, Ancient; D005260:Female; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000266:history* / Q000295:instrumentation; D011247:Pregnancy; D013525:Surgical Instruments / Q000266:history*