CHAPTER YUl. 



CAUTERISATION. 



The destruction of tissue b}- chemical substances or by burning' 

 is termed cauterisation. Such chemicals are comprised under the 

 genera' heading of caustics, whilst the red-hot iron or other heated 

 instrument is termed the actual cautery. Cauterisation produces a 

 scab or scar. The dead tissue is separated by reactive inflammation, 

 and is cast off; healing follows by granulation. Apart from destroying 

 diseased tissues and stimulating repair in strained or chronically 

 inflamed tissues, cauterisation is often invoked merely to produce very 

 active irritation, sometimes to hasten granulation and cicatrisation, or 

 to close bleeding vessels b}- means of a scab, and thus to check haemor- 

 rhage. 



Chemical Caustics 



May be divided into fluid and solid. Fluid caustics can be applied in 

 small quantities with a brush, glass rod, or pledget of cotton wool, etc., 

 to the point to be cauterised, care being taken never to apply so much 

 as to render possible the spread of the caustic beyond its intended 

 position. If considered necessary to exact]}- delimit the extent of 

 tissue to be cauterised the skin may be shaved, and a plaster containing 

 an aperture of the desired size applied, or a mass of soft plaster may 

 be formed into a roll and affixed to the skin around the point to be 

 operated on, forming a little basin to receive the caustic and protect 

 adjacent parts. 



Of fluid caustics may be mentioned : 



Sulphuric acid, which acts very rapidly and powerfully on account 



