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50 INSTRUMENTS AND APPLIANCES

proper use of the grasp and may be markedly increased b]
frequent exercise.
Rests and Guards.—While maintaining the proper in-

strument grasps, it becomes necessary to steady the right
hand during the performance of the operation, in order that
the instrument may be securely held to its work without
slipping. In the case of the pen and inverted pen grasps
this is accomplished by resting the fourth or fifth or both
fingers on the tooth operated upon, or on some adjoining

Fig. 54.—The guard.

tooth, or surface. The steadying of the hand is accomplished,
when the palm and thumb grasp is assumed, by means of
the thumb, resting it on some convenient location. This
position of the fingers or the thumb is known as The Rest

(Fig. 52). The Guard is the position assumed by the thumb
and forefinger of the left hand to steady the parts operated

upon and protect them from injury, in case of accidental
slipping of the instrument (see Fig. 52). The thumb is placed
on one side of the tooth operated upon and the forefinger on