A system of practical surgery / by William Fergusson.

  • William Fergusson
Date:
1852
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A system of practical surgery / by William Fergusson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    29/878 (page 5)
    and even the most minute dissections may he effected with the hand and scalpel in this attitude. Many operations are performed with the bistoury, and it will be advantageous to practise dissections with it, as well as with the scalpel, so that it may be handled without awkwardness on the living body. A blade of the shape represented in the next sketch, about three or four inches in length, fixed in a handle similar to that of the scalpel, or in such a one that the blade can shut like a pocket-knife may be used on these occasions. The instrument may be held in the same manner as the scalpel; it is awkward, however, to do so in the manner exhibited in figure 2, in consequence of the fingers being so near the point, and that here shown (fig. 4), perhaps, combines more elegance, freedom, and firmness of movement than any other. Whatever attitude is chosen at first, it is necessary, with appropriate movements of the fingers and wrist, so to change the position of the hand during the incisions, that the cutting edge of the instrument may be drawn towards the operator, or from him, at will. There are different kinds of bistouries which I shall speak of afterwards, and both these and the scalpel require to be held in particular attitudes, which will be most advantageously explained and exhibited, in de- scribing the manner of performing the various operations, in which such instruments and positions are of consequence. In minute dissections, scissors of this shape (fig. 5) will be found ot service, and as they are frequently required in the practice of surgery, the hand should be habituated to their use. The shape indicated in