160 SPRINGTIME SURGERY 



In making such examination, use the fingers 

 rather than instruments, as much as possible, but 

 gently, very gently, depending upon the tactile 

 sense to determine what conditions exist, using 

 the eyes, ears and nose as aids to the sense of 

 touch. 



The tactus eruditus, the educated sense of touch, 

 is nowhere of greater importance than in surgi- 

 cal practice. While manual dexterity is advan- 

 tageous in the technic and mechanical work of the 

 profession, the great importance of a correct 

 diagnosis speaks for the value of the educated 

 touch. This tactus eruditus can be rapidly and 

 readily acquired in the everyday experiences if the 

 student or practitioner will only make the effort 

 to determine size, shape, surface qualities and 

 other physical attributes by the touch, thus learn- 

 ing to identify objects by their "feel." 



Care in Handling. — Simiple superficial wounds 

 will require very little handling; incisions, punc- 

 tures and lacerations due to known causes call 

 for nothing more than a careful inspection. Where 

 the presence of a splinter of wood, metal or glass 

 is suspected, a very gentle digital examination 



