88 



HOLDING [NSTRUMBNTS. 



When importanl vessels lie immediately beneath the point of incision 

 it is sometimes convenient to raise the skin in a fold (Fig. 100). 



When considerable force is required in making an incision the thumb 



Fig. Of). 



Fig. 96. 



may be firmly applied to the skin, and the knife guided by the other 

 fingers (Fig. 105) ; this prevents deviation from the straight line. 



In dividing very hard tissues, 

 like horn and cartilage, the knife 

 is grasped with the whole hand 

 (Fig. 106). 



Incisions should be made rapidly 

 and, if possible, of the prede- 

 termined length at one stroke. 

 Too short an incision impedes the 

 deeper stages of the dissection, and is no advantage, for the linear 

 cicatrix which may remain is of even less importance in animals 



Fig. 98. 



