Retention dressings must be resorted to, to keep the fragments of the bone in their new position until cicatrization has been sufficiently established to keep them in place.
When possible Roe advises sawing off the convexity submucously and, after loosening the skin over the dorsum of the nose, to move the bony plate thus made over to the opposite side of the nose and into the concavity usually found there in these cases. If there be no deviation at the latter site the bone plate can be entirely removed through the inferior wound in the mucosa.
CHAPTER XVII
ELECTROLYSIS IN DERMATOLOGY
Several references have been made in the preceding chapter to the specific use of electricity without a description, however, of its source or application. The author does not deem it necessary in this volume to go into the principles of electricity, and takes it for granted that the practitioner is sufficiently familiar with a knowledge of the rudiments of the subject and that he understands the meaning of an electric cell commonly known as a battery.
The Electric Battery.—An electric cell or battery is made up of two poles which are named positive, designated by the + (plus) sign, and negative by the - (minus) sign. In the usual form of cell used the parts are made up of a carbon and zinc cylinder placed into a glass jar containing the electrolyte or actuating fluid. The latter is either an aqueous solution of potassium bichromate or salammoniac contained in a glass jar.
For continuous use or open circuit work the Le Clanche type of cell is most practicable.
Fig. 502.—Electric Wet Cell.