Ill 



OPERATIVE TECHNIQUE. 



The Actual Cautery — Firing. 



Although much less used than in the early part of the century 

 firing still continues very popular, and is employed with success in 

 many conditions which have resisted all other treatment. Without 

 doubt it gives lively pain, necessitates a certain period of rest, and 



Fig. 140. — Needle firing iron with interchmgeable needles. 



sometimes leaves indelible marks, but these drawbacks are more than 

 counterbalanced by its many advantages. Among the indications for 

 the employment of the actual cauter\-, the most frequent are chronic 

 affections of tendon sheaths, of bones and articulations, synovitis. 



Fig. 147. — Degive'.s needle firing apparatus packed in box. 



hydrarthrosis, sprains, luxations, exostosis, periostosis, enlarged joints, 

 caries, or necrosis. It is also employed m disease of tendons, 

 chronic inflammatory changes in connective tissue, and as a remedy 

 for certain cysts. Furthermore it is used to divide tissues, to remove 

 chronic lymphatic thickening, to stimulate the healing of tistulse. 



