This Operation is perform'd when the Upper-Lip is cleft; but if there be a great loss of Substance, it must not be undertaken; neither ought it to be practis'd upon old nor scorbutick Persons, nor upon young Children, by reason that their continual Crying wou'd hinder the re-union. But if any are desirous that it shou'd be done to these last, they are to be kept from taking any rest for a long time, to the end that they may fall a-sleep after the Operation, which is thus effected:
If the Lip sticks to the Gums, it is to be separated with an Incision-Knife, without hurting 'em; then the Hare-Lip must be cut a little about the edges with Sizzers, that it may more easily re-unite, the edges being held for that purpose with a Pair of Pincers, whilst the Servant who supports the Patient's Head, presseth his Cheeks before, to draw together the sides of the Hare-Lip: Whereupon the Operator passeth a Needle with wax'd Thread, into the two sides of the Wound, from the outside to the inside at a Thread's distance from each. But care must be had that the two Lips of the Hare-Lip be well adjusted, and very even; the Thread being twisted round the Needle by crossing it above.
The Dressing and Bandage.
After the Lips are wash'd with warm Wine, the Points of the Needles must be cut off, small Bolsters being laid under their ends; then the Wound is to be dress'd with a little Pledget cover'd with some proper Balsam, putting at the same time under the Gum a Linnen Rag steep'd in some desiccative Liquor, lest the Lip shou'd stick to the Gum, if it be necessary to keep 'em a-part. Lastly, upon the whole is to be laid an agglutinative Plaister, supported with the uniting Bandage, which is a small Band perforated in the middle; it is laid behind the Head, and afterward drawn forward, one of its ends being let into the Hole which lies upon the Sore: Then the two ends of the Band are turn'd behind the Head upon the same Folds where they are fasten'd, sticking therein a certain Number of Pins, proportionably to the length of the Wound.
The Patient must be dress'd three Days after; and it is requisite at the first time only to untwist half the Needle, loosening the middle Thread if there be three; to which purpose a Servant is to thrust the Cheeks somewhat forward. On the eighth Day the middle Needle may be taken off, if it be a young Infant; nevertheless the Needles must not be remov'd till it appears that the sides are well join'd; neither must they be left too long, because the Holes wou'd scarce be brought to close.