METHODS OF D1V1D1NO TISSUKS. 



89 



than in man. Moreover, the irregularity of the incision produced 

 by a series of cuts greatly militates against rapid healing. 



Scissors are held as shown in Fig. 107, the thumb and third finger 

 in the rings, the index finger on the joint. 



In dividing soft tissues the knife is either guided by a director 

 or by the finger (Figs. 108 and 109). In the former case the director, 



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Fig. 99. 



lightly held between the thumb and index finger, is introduced into 

 an already existing opening in the tissues, a convex or pointed knife 

 is slipped into the channel and steadily thrust forward with a lifting 

 movement, so that at the end of the stroke it is nearly at right angles 

 to the long axis of the director. In some cases it may be necessary 

 to make the stroke towards the operator (Fig. 110). 



Fig. 100. 



Where important organs might be endangered the operator grasps 

 with forceps and raises a portion of the tissue to be divided, 

 the neighbouring portion being similarly raised by an assistant, 

 and the parts divided between the two forceps. The forceps are 

 then reapplied and the dissection so continued. 



