Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Practical anatomy. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University.
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![a pair of dissecting forceps, a set of chain-hooks, a blow- pipe [surgical pins, thread and needles], and a probe, will enable the student to make all requisite dissections, sup- posing that he is allowed the use of a saw and chisel in the dissecting room. Great variety exists in dissecting cases, both as to form and expense, but so long as the instruments themselves are strong and good, the simpler the case the better. Scalpels for dissection are made of two principal shapes; in one, the edge is bevelled to the point, the back being- straight ; in the other, both back and edge are bevelled to a point midway between the two. The latter form is pre- ferable for most purposes. The blade should not be more than an inch and a half long, and never double-edged, but the material of which the handle is constructed is a matter of indifference. For all ordinary dissection, it will be found most convenient to hold the scalpel like a pen; but for cleaning the fascia off muscles, and following out small nerves, it is better to hold it reserved, so that the back of the knife may be against the tissue which is to be preserved. In making the first incision through the skin of a limb, or in any other position where a long incision is required, the knife ma}r, with advantage, be held under the hand, by which the wrist has more play, and the student has the opportunity of practising a mode of holding the knife, which he will find very useful when operating on the living body. The forceps should be broad at the extremities and coarsely serrated, so that it may retain a firm hold on small portions of tissue. It is very important that the forceps should not be too strong in the spring, for in that case it becomes so fatiguing to the hand that it is impos- sible to continue its use for any length of time. The forceps should be held lightly between the thumb and the first and second fingers of the left hand, which ma3' be steadied by resting the little finger on a neighboring part. The chain-hooks should be strong, and bent in the direc- tion of the thickness and not of the breadth of the steel, as is sometimes done. These latter are very inferior, being liable to be unbent under any considerable strain. Care should be taken that the chains are firmly linked, and that the central ring is sufficiently stout to bear any force that may be applied to it. The scissors should be large and strong, and it will be](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21020735_0024.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
