MUNIZ—MC GEE] OPERATION COMPLETED WITH PLATE 53 
tip, beyond which a narrow scratch extends to the transverse fracture 
limiting the aperture anteriorly, as best shown in plate xxx1x. The 
medial portion of this incision forms the margin of the aperture for 
10 mm., as shown by both illustrations, especially plate xxx1x, though 
for most of this distance it was not carried entirely through the inner 
table, a narrow projection of which remains. The posterior terminal 
of the incision is somewhat obscured by later scraping, yet it is fairly 
definite for 5 mm. and similar to the better-preserved anterior extremity. 
Next in clearness is the curvilinear incision marking the postero-median 
margin of the aperture; as shown by its conformation and by longi- 
tudinal stri#, this was made by a rather blunt-pointed and rough- 
sided instrument, held vertical and reciprocated with a curvilinear 
movement. For a length of some 15 mm., measured around the curve, 
it very nearly penetrated the inner table, leaving a thin projecting edge 
of bone, as clearly shown in plate xi; thence for 10 mm. forward it 
shallowed in such manner that, when the elevator was used, most or 
all of the thickness of the inner table remained after the button was 
dissevered, and still persists, as shown in both reproductions. Nearly 
as decisive as these cuts is the rectilinear incision defining the lower 
side of the aperture from the coronal suture well toward the posterior 
extremity, a distance of about 35 mm. Although the margin of the 
outer table has been ground away, one side of this incision still retains 
its original character, and the bottom of the cut for half its length is 
shown on the narrow selvage of the inner table left to be broken away 
when the button was lifted; the incision was of the usual character, as 
shown by conformation and striz, indicating that it was made with an 
instrument having a single blunt point and rough sides, operated 
reciprocally. The entire aperture is circumscribed by scratches and 
strie produced in smoothing the rough edges of the bone left by the 
earlier cutting; yet at several points there are deeper grooves or cuts, 
evidently made in connection with whe main incisions, either in a ran- 
dom way or by the slipping of the tool. The most conspicuous of these 
are outside the better-rounded posterior extremity of the aperture, and 
several are in such position as to show the effort made by the operator 
to change the rectilinear incision last described into a curvilinear 
incision. The marks left by the grinding or rasping of the margin are 
rough and irregular, such as might readily be produced by rubbing 
with a coarse sandstone or quartzite; and there is nothing to suggest 
the use of specialized or metallic instruments. 
The location of the operation coincides with that of an extensive 
compound fracture, most of the traces of which were evidently removed 
by the operator. One of the lines of fracture extends downward from 
the anterior extremity of the aperture to the orbit, and may be traced 
in the wall of the orbit for about 50 mm., and in the interior of the 
skull may be followed thence into the nasal bones. A branch fracture 
defines the anterior extremity of the aperture for 5 mm., and thence 
