The principles of surgery / [James Syme].

  • James Syme
Date:
1832
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The principles of surgery / [James Syme]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    there is reason to believe, from the acute pain occa- sionally complained of, that they are not unfrequently divided ; but bad consequences seldom if ever result, either from this source or the alleged pricking of ten- dons, which was formerly much dreaded.* When any local inconvenience results from the operation, it is now allowed to depend upon inflammation of the skin, cellular substance, or vein, owing to peculiar irritabi- lity of the patient’s constitution, or the coarse manner in which the surgeon has inflicted or dressed the wound. These accidents will be best avoided by per- forming the operation as has been described above ; and when they do occur, ought to be treated according to the principles which will be explained hereafter. The external jugular may be rendered sufficiently tense for being opened, by pressing on it with the thumb a little above the clavicle. The lancet may then be introduced precisely as has been recommend- ed ; and if the incision is made in the direction of the sterno-mastoid muscle, it will not only ensure the di- vision of the superjacent fibres of the platysma myotdes, but also have the proper degree of obliquity in respect to the coats of the vein. The edge of the cup which is to receive the blood being held tightly below the aperture will determine the blood to flow through it, and when a sufficient quantity has been obtained, its farther escape will be easily prevented by applying a small compress of caddis, which should be retained by two crossing slips of adhesive plaster, rather than a bandage encircling the neck, as this might reinduce the bleeding. * Benjamin Bell’s System of Surgery.— Vol. iii. p. 184,—7th Ed.
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