Lectures on the American eclectic system of surgery / by Benjamin L. Hill.

  • Hill, B. L. (Benjamin L.)
Date:
1850
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Lectures on the American eclectic system of surgery / by Benjamin L. Hill. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Lamar Soutter Library, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Lamar Soutter Library at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

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    CONGENITAL CATARACT —should be early operated on,—when the patients are not more than two or three months old. If neglected for a much longer period, the proper nervous and muscular power of the organ may never be gained ; and in process of time, though the lens is absorbed, the capsule is thickened to a very unman- ageable degree, and will absolutely require extraction or ex- cision. At an early age the method of absorption is sufficient, and easily performed. LECTURE LVIII. OTHER OPERATIONS ABOUT THE HEAD AND FACE. TREPHINING. The necessary instruments for this operation are a large and small trephine, (or cylindrical saw) a Hay's saw, an elevator and a scalpel. The other instruments which may be required, such as needles, forceps, &c., are found in the com- mon Pocket Case, which every surgeon should carry with him at all times. The operation is performed for fracture of the skull, with depression, causing Compression of the Brain;—also for com- pression from extravasation or suppuration, or tumors of the dura mater; and sometimes even for irritation, as when disease of the skull causes epilepsy. [For the use and abuse of the operation, see page 93, and cases, page 9G.] In cases of extravasation or suppuration, the trephine used should be large, so as to allow the fluid to escape freely. On the other occasions a sviaU one may suffice. The first thing to be done is to remove a sufficient portion of the scalp, if that has not been done by the accident. Cut a flap in the shape of the letter D, raising the circular side. If there be any loose pieces of bone, remove them with forceps, completing their separation, where necessary, with Hay's saw.