Of the WRY NECK.
THE Operation of cutting the Wry Neck is very uncommon, and is never to be practised but when the Disorder is owing to a Contraction of the Mastoideus Muscle only; as it can answer no Purpose to set that Muscle free, by dividing it, (which is all that is to be done,) if the others in the Neck are in the same State, and more especially, if it has been of long standing from Infancy; because the Growth of the Vertebræ will have been determined in that Direction, and make it impossible to set the Head upright.
When the Case is fair, the Operation is this. Having laid your Patient on a Table, make a transverse Incision through the Skin and Fat, something broader than the Muscle, and not above half an Inch from the Clavicle; then passing the probed Razor with Care underneath the Muscle, draw it out and cut the Muscle. The great Vessels of the Neck lie underneath; but I think, when we are aware of their Situation, the Danger of wounding them may be avoided. After the Incision is made, the Wound is to be crammed with dry Lint, and always dressed so as to prevent the Extremities of the Muscle from re-uniting; to which end, they are to be separated from each other as much as possible by the Assistance of a supporting Bandage for the Head, during the whole Time of the Cure, which will generally be about a Month.
The EXPLANATION.
A. The Instrument called the Probe-Razor to cut the Mastiodeus Muscle in the Wry Neck, and is sharp only about half its length, at that End where the Blade is broad.
B. The two Pins with the twisted Suture, used in the Hare Lip.
C. The Polypus Forceps, with one of the Rings open for the Reception of the Thumb, which would be cramped in pulling the Forceps with much Force, if it were received in the same sort of Ring as in the other Handle. 'Tis for this Reason I have represented the Stone Forceps with open Rings.