THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. 



243 



shaped and perforated ; this is apt to slip off a rounded 

 body, as a turnip, and rupture the oesophagus. Others, 



preferably, have a concave 

 extremity, which allows firm 

 and even pressure on the 

 body. Mr. Reed reminds us 

 that the metal ends should 

 not be of lead, which is in- 

 dented by the teeth, and thus 

 becomes liable to tear the 

 oesophagus. 



In passing the jprohang, a 

 wooden gag, perforated cen- 

 trally and with a projecting 

 handle at each extremity, is 

 placed in the mouth and fixed 

 by straps which pass behind 

 the horns. Two men ought to 

 hold the head, each having a 



Fig. 41. — Ordinary method of pas- 

 sing the probang. (Simonds.) 



Fig. 42. — Armatage's wooden Gag. 



handle in one hand and the horn of the opposite side in 

 the other. Thus, tiie head is straightened upon the neck 



