94 



ELASTIC LIGATURES. 



of ligation until the cord becomes slack, but inasmuch as many 

 materials like reindeer sinew or metallic ligatures are comparatively 

 inelastic, the ligature may after a time require to be reapplied, and 

 large masses cannot be dealt with by a single ligature, but require 

 several. 



The Elastic Ligature is exceedingly useful. Being applied in a 

 tensely stretched condition it "follows up " the parts as they yield. 

 Vulcanised rubber cord or tubing, of a thickness proportionate to 

 the mass to be divided, is used. An assistant holds one end of the 

 cord while the operator grasps and stretches the other, passing it 

 three or four times around the pedicle of the growth. The two ends 

 are held in a crossed position by an assistant, when they can be tied 

 together with an ordinary thread. 



After being firmly tied the ends are released, and as they imme- 

 diately return to their previous volume they so greatly exceed the 



Fin. 111. — Diagram showing elastic 

 ligature applied. 



Fig. 112. — Diagram to show 

 extent to which contraction 

 proceeds. 



area of the knot as to render impossible any chance of retraction. 

 Fig. Ill shows a ligature applied to a rod, and Fig. 112, the same 

 ligature removed, to exhibit the degree to which it finally contracts. 

 Solid rubber cords are better than rubber tubes, which are apt 

 to break when tied. 



In removing tumours with well-defined pedicles the elastic band 

 is easily applied, but when the tumour is more or less sessile it is 

 necessary to transfix it with one or two long needles crossed at right- 

 angles to prevent the ligature slipping off. 



The surfaces left by the elastic ligature granulate readily. This 

 method is especially useful in ligaturing very vascular tissues because 

 vessels are securely closed before division occurs. 



Cagny recommended the elastic ligature for docking. The most 

 painful part of this operation is not the division of the tissues, but 

 their cauterisation, and in certain high-bred animals the application 



