A Manual of Operative Surgery on the Dead Body

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. 1876 edition. Excerpt: ... fig. 40, and fig. 41, page 197. AMPUTATION AT ELBOW-JOINT. We shall not describe this operation, as its advantages are very questionable on the living subject, and on the dead it is better to perform a resection of the joint. 1 The patient's right-hand side, i.e. outside the right arm, inside the left. M AMPUTATION OF ARM. Amputation through the Upper Arm may be effected (a) by the circular operation; (b) by double flaps; (c) by integumental flaps and circular division of the muscles; (d) by Mr. Teale's operation. Choice of Operation.--When operating on the living subject this will depend very much on the available integument for covering the stump, and in cases of injury on the condition of the bones, skin, blood-vessels, &c. (a) THE CIRCULAR OPERATION. Instruments required.--1. An ordinary amputating knife. 2. A saw. 3. Artery or torsion forceps. 4. Bone nippers. Position of Operator.--The operator should take his place outside the limb he is about to remove. Position and Duties of Assistant.--The assistant, placed at the shoulder of the subject, should encircle the arm with both hands just below the point at which it is to come off, and should retract the integuments to their utmost. Operation.--The operator, bending both knees, should stoop down and pass his knife around the limb from its under side, and, laying the heel of the blade on the side of the arm nearest to him, should make a circular sweep around the limb, at the same time straightening his own body, and rising to the erect position. This cut should divide the integuments down to the muscles, which must be bared of their covering, to the extent of two or three inches, by dissecting off the skin and subcutaneous tissue; the assistant meantime turning back the parts...