126 ELEMENTAKT OPERATIONS. 



even drawing knives, take their 2)lace. Drawing knives, however, 

 are better ada2)ted to excise the horny, or other similar hard struc- 

 tures, than to cut upon soft tissues. 



Fig. 147.— Straight Bistoviry. 



Fig. 148.— Convex Bistoury. 



Fig. 149.— Concave Bistoury. 



Fig. 150.— Blunt Bistoury. 



Fig. 151.— Bistoury Cach6 (Castrating Knife for Females). 



In form, the bistoury is either straight, convex or concave, 

 and usually is i:)ointed, but the use of blunt or guarded instru- 

 ments is often indicated. The bistoury cache is also employed in 

 some special operations. A bistoury is generally mounted with 

 a single blade, though sometimes several blades are mounted 

 together on one handle, and can be closed upon it in the 

 manner of an ordinary pocket knife. But when strict antiseptic 



