590 



OPERATIONS ON THE FOOT. 



width, and thus can be used as the different steps of the operation 

 may require (Fig. 486). Sometimes the drawing knife resembles 

 more that of the blacksmith, as being sharp on one edge only (Fig. 

 487), and in this case the groove of the blade is generally much 

 narrower than in the others. Some special operations require 

 pecuhar forms of drawing knives ; for instance, those which are 



FIG. 487. Figs. 486. Fig. 488. 



DRAWING KNIVES. 



made with a blade perfectly straight and narrow, very slightly 

 sharp on the edges, but having a very narrow groove at the ex- 

 tremity (Fig. 488). These are used principally in the scraping of 

 diseased bone-structure, in deep punctured wounds of the foot, 

 and in cartilaginous quittor, when small sections of cartilage are 

 to be removed from the lateral border of the os pedis, which could 

 not othewise be accomplished. 



Other instruments are also required, the description of which 

 will be given as we refer to the different diseases where they find 

 their applications. 



Geneeal Opebations. 



Hemoval of the sole (Germ. Absohlen). — This is an operation 

 by which the sole of the foot is removed by severing it from the 

 living tissues underneath. In times gone by this operation was 

 extensively performed, being considered indispensable as soon as 

 the slightest lesion under the sole existed. It was alleged that 



