C H A P. XX.
Of the Cæsarian Operation.
When a Woman cannot be deliver'd by the ordinary means, this bold and dangerous Operation hath been sometimes perform'd with good Success. The Woman being laid upon her Back, the Surgeon makes a Longitudinal Incision beneath the Navel, on the side of the White-Line, till the Matrix appears, which he openeth, taking great care to avoid wounding the Child: Then he divides the Membranes with which it is wrapt up, separates the After-Burden from the Matrix, and takes out the Child. Lastly he washeth the Wound with warm Wine, and dispatcheth the Gastroraphy or Stitching up of the Belly, without sowing the Matrix. After the Operation, Injections are to be made into the Matrix, to cause a Flux of Blood; and a pierc'd Pessary must be introduc'd into its Neck.
C H A P. XXI.
Of the Operation of Amputation, with its proper Dressings and Bandages.
The Leg is usually cut off at the Ham; the Thigh as near as can be to the Knee; and the Arm as near as is possible to the Wrist: But an Amputation is never made in a Joynt, except in the Fingers and Toes.
In order to cut off a Leg, the Patient is to be set on the side of his Bed, or in a Chair, and supported by divers Assistants; one of 'em being employ'd to hold the Leg at the bottom, and another to draw the Skin upward above the Knee, to the end that the Flesh may cover the Bone again after the Operation. In the mean while a very thick Bolster is laid under the Ham, upon which are made two Ligatures, viz. the first above the Knee, to stop the Blood, by screwing it up with the Tourniquet or Gripe-Stick; and the second below the Knee, to render the Flesh firm for the Knife. Before the Ligature is drawn close with the Gripe-Stick, a little piece of Paste-board is to be put underneath, for fear of pinching the Skin. Thus the Leg being well fixt, the Surgeon placeth himself between both the Legs of the Patient, to make the Incision with a crooked Knife, turning it circularly to the Bone, and laying one Hand upon the Back of the Knife, which must have no Edge. Afterward the Periosteum is to be