OF TREATMENT IN SURGERY 85 



during an operation ; and exposure to tlie air soon renders gut suppled with 

 water rigid from drying. But, wlien it has been treated in the way above recom- 

 mended, it maybe transferred to a watery solution at the commencement of an 

 operation, and so kept supple without having its strength or thickness altered. 



For tying an arterial trunk in its continuity, catgut as thick when drv as 

 ordinary purse-silk will be found best ; but for ordinary wounds, where, if one 

 ligature happen to break, another can be easity applied, much liner kinds may 

 be employed, and are convenient from their smaller bulk. For everydav use, 

 a small oil-tight capsule may be carried in the pocket-case ; and this case can 

 be replenished from a larger stock as may be necessary. I have had a small 

 silver bottle with w^ell-fitting screwed top adapted to my caustic case ; and this 

 contains two little rods of wood wdth gut of two sizes wound upon tliem, together 

 with a few drops of the antiseptic oil : and now that torsion has almost entirely 

 superseded the ligature in ordinary wounds, this small supply will probably 

 last me for months. 



