TRAUMATIC LESIONS. 389 
‘divided surfaces, so as to avoid the angular deviation of the united 
extremities. 
Such interferences are,to be completed with an antiseptic dressing and 
immobilization of the leg or its fixation in such a position that the stretch- 
ing of the nerve shall be as slight as possible,—a condition which is some- 
times difficult to obtain with animals. 
If it has been necessary to cut off a small piece of the extremities of 
SuTURE OF NERVES, 
Fig. 90.—Direct suture. Fig. 91.—Perineurotic suture. 
the nerve, it is sometimes impossible to bring the nervous stumps in con« 
tact. In such a case, the suture apart (at distance) with catgut threads 
and under most rigorous antisepsy is the preferred mode of operation. The 
leg placed in good position, peri and paraneurotic stitches will be applied 
to reduce as much as possible the separation of the stumps; some direct 
points may also be made. It is rational to admit that the resortable 
threads act as guides to the young afferent neuricles of the central end, 
and prevent them from going astray (Forgue and Reclus). 
