—_ BOTANIC PHYSICIAN. 
as far as possible. While the parts are in this state of tension, the 
operator standing on the outside of the patient, should divide them =~ 
with a cireular incision down to the muscles; this may be done- 
With one stroke of the amputating knife, or in large limbs, at twice. 
The. assistant continuing to draw the teguments upwards, the 
_ cellular substance connecting them to the muscles beneath, should- 
é divided, till as much of-the skin is separated with the edge of the 
knife, as the operator thinks will completely cover the stamp. aye 
~The skin being still drawn tightly upwards, the muscles should be 
divided close to the edge of it down to the bone, by one perpendicu- 
_ lar and continued stroke of the knife, beginning with the upper part 
_ 9fthe large muscles on the inside of the thigh, and continuing the 
'. Mision round through those beneath, and on the outside, till it- tere 
minates where it.commenced.. The operator should have his eye 
from:first to last, in order to avoid cut- 
ne the op ion safely. “i 
4€ usual method of operating, the bone would now be sawed 
a at the edge of the retracted muscles ; but we are more certain 
of having a good Stump, if the muscles are separated from the bone — 
for the space of an inch ; and it is easily done by inserting the point 
of the amputating-knife between them and carrying it freely rowud 
from one side of the limb to the other. This being done, the mus- 
cles and teguments must be drawn up as far as the muscles have 
been separated from the bone ; and it is easily done, either with a 
"slit piece of cloth or leather. The periosteum should now be divided 
at the place where the saw is to be applied, and at should’ be done 
with one turn of the knife. At this place the saw should be applied, — 
and with long aod sents —iokentiebane, should be divided. In per- 
_formin epg 2s Ht OF the operation, the assistant holding 
be directed to hold it steadily, for ifraised too far, the = al = 
will be impeded, and the bone will be splintered if not sufficiently 
kept up. - Any points or spilnters.of the bone that may be left, should’ 
he immediately removed with the hippers. 
The cloth or leather retractors should now be taken off; and Sin. ig 
trunk of the large artery of the thigh bein easil 
drawn up with a tenaculum, and a wicinea biniarinee Poy eae 
fore the tourniquet is loosened; but'as the muscular branches ofthis) 
artery cannot be discovered as long as the y are compressed, the serew 
should be immediately untwisted, so that the pressure be removed: 
. All the clotted blood-should be now removed from the stump with a 
>it Sponge soaked in'warm water; and every artery that can be dis-~ 
covered, should be secured with a ligature, care being taken to leave- 
the ends of the threads of a sufficient length to han 
the wound. 
