132 FISTULA AND POLL-EVIL 
the main object—the resection of the ligament. 
In this step we lay the scalpel aside and take 
up the probe-pointed bistoury. We first pass 
the index finger of the right hand under the 
ligament right at the crest and using the finger 
as a guide pass the bistoury under it, cutting 
outward and upward. The ligament through 
its extreme elasticity will contract backwards 
as fast as it is cut and thus reveal itself to the 
operator. That is, the end will come right out 
into the foreground after contracting back- 
ward an inch or more. We then grasp the end 
with a tumor forcep and dissect it in the back- 
ward direction as it is drawn upon with the for- 
cep. Over the region most badly damaged by 
disease it will be found so fused with the other 
connective elements that it can not be said to 
be a distinct structure. We attempt to take 
away as much of this connective tissue as is 
thought prudent as the dissection proceeds 
backward. The dissection is continued along 
the whole length of the incision or until the 
sound part of the ligament is reached posteri- 
orly. We know when the sound part is reached 
by its elasticity. When the section now held in 
the forecep is drawn back and forth the liga- 
ment it seen to stretch easily. Here it is cut 
off. 
The attention is now directed to the other 
