An Epitome of Practical Surgery for Field and Hospital (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1863 edition. Excerpt: ... by its own spring, and is opened by pressing the two blades together. Ligature of the vessel.--This may be done, by laying the artery bare, applying the ligature, and dividing the artery below it. Again, the two ligatures may be applied, and the vessel divided between them; and finally the artery may be cut, then seized with a tenaculum and drawn out, and the ligature tied above the bleeding orifice. The application of ligatures, will be more freely and thoroughly discussed when the subject of "Hemorrhage after an operation " is considered. This forcep is applicable to arteries of all sizes, and is the surest of the methods employed for arresting the flow of blood. Tie the main artery first, then find its principal branches, and finally seek out every bleeding orifice. The Ligature was first used by Ambrose Pare in amputations, but the mode of its application has been variously modified by other Surgeons. Ligatures are immediate or mediate. To apply the immediate Ligature, sponge out the wound well; have the pressure on the artery slightly diminished, so as to permit the blood to flow; seize the artery either with a pair of forceps or the tenaculum; draw it out; and having passed the thread under the instrument, make first a loose knot, then direct the loop over the artery and tie it firmly twice, --an assistant placing his finger on the first knot to prevent its slipping. The instrument may then be withdrawn, and the compression removed to make sure that the artery' is completely obliterated. With regard to small arteries, that cannot be readily separated from the soft parts, a portion of the cellular tissue may be included in the ligature with them. The mediate ligature is applied thus. Pass two ends of the ligature through curved...