Haemorrhoid forceps made from steel and ivory. Haemorrhoids (commonly known as piles) are swellings which occur due to veins and overlying tissue around the anus and lower rectum becoming engorged with blood. These forceps were used to grasp the haemorrhoid between its blades, this would cut off the blood supply to the swelling and subsequently cause it to drop off. These forceps are English and date from around 1860.