ABLATION OP TUMORS. 211 



But presently it becomes cooler, the skin becomes soft, flabby, 

 and of a dark brownish color ; the mass becomes dry and con- 

 tracted, and in from fifteen to twenty days it drops off, leaYing a 

 woimd which heals in the usual manner. 



The use of this Hgature is, we beUeve, principally advantage- 

 ous for small growths, and we have obtained good results from it 

 in the castration of medium or small-sized animals, as well as ia the 

 treatment of small and superficial tumors, as warts, and the Uke. 

 But ia respect to large growths, such as the fibromas of the elbow 

 joint, from the enormous size of the wound which follows, and 

 the excessive length of time this requires to heal, we cannot feel 

 justified iu recommending it in similar cases. 



4th. — Removal by Tearing. 



This is a method of extirpating tumors by mere force, grasp- 

 ing them with one hand or with the forceps, and with the other 

 they are simply — with a tvdstiag motion — torn from theu- connec- 

 tion. Of course it can only be practiced on small growths, but it 

 has the advantage of preventing hemorrhage, and can be performed 

 with the hands alone, or vsdth the assistance of special forceps or 

 nippers. The principal objection is that it sometimes fails to 

 remove the fundamental element of the growth, and a renewal 

 of the trouble may be looked for. 



5th. — Puncture. 

 This subject has already been partially considered. It is per- 

 formed with either the bistoury, the lancet, or the trocar, but it 

 is principally applicable to soft tumors only, and as by its un- 

 aided action it is ordinarily insuificient to effect their complete 

 disappearance, it becomes necessary to resort to instrumental help, 

 in which cauterization with the pointed red iron, blistering appUca- 

 tions, or ihe injection of irritating or modifying compounds, as 

 solution of tincture of iodine, become the efficient adjuncts, if not 

 in truth the actual curatives. 



