THE CURETTE. 



105 



sists, as the name indicates, of a small steel spoon with a sharp edge 

 attached to a stem and handle. The most useful are the smaller because 

 the}' can readily be passed into sinuses, in certain cases into bones, and 

 into all hollow spaces formed of diseased tissue. A selection of various 

 si;^es ought, however, to be kept. Curettes are sometimes formed with 



Fig. 130. — Curette. 



Fig. 129. — Curette. 



Fig. 131. — Curette with irrigating attachment. 



hollow handles, and an arrangement by which a stream of disinfecting 

 fluid can be caused to flow from the bottom of the bowl. Fig. 131 ; the 

 material loosened is washed awav bv the stream of fluid. The curette 



Bone forceps. 



is held in the full hand and used with considerable pressure. The 

 sharp edge of the spoon removes necrotic tissue whilst gliding over 

 firmer health\- parts without affecting them. Particular care must be 



Fig. 133. — Frame saw for bone. 



taken to remove everything of a diseased nature, without which rapid 

 healing need not be expected. 



The chisel and gouge, Figs. 127 and 128, are now seldom employed 

 for dividing bones because of the danger of shattering the bone when 



