8UTUEE3. 149 



ing rise to excessive inflammation or ulceration if the swelling 

 should be extreme. Elastic cords or bands have an important 

 advantage in their property of yielding to the inflammatory swell- 

 ing, as it develops itself while avoiding dangerous or unnecessary 

 traction. 



Fig. 180.— Various Sutured Needles. 



Suture needles are made in countless forms and numbers, 

 straight and curved, and of different lengths and dimensions, but 

 having, aU of them, flat points. When metaUic sutures are used, 

 theu- extremity is grooved to receive the wire in such a manner 

 that its double thickness wiU not interfere with its passage 

 through the skin. 



