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Of the growing together of Fingers or Toes.
THe Coalition, or growing together of the Fingers or Toes, but especially of the Fin∣gers, falls next under our conside∣ration. It is occasioned either by the error of forming Nature in the Mother's Womb, or by an Ul∣cer on the inside of two Fingers, negligently cured, or by burning.
The Cure may be performed by the Knife, or by an actual or potential Cautery. Dissection is the best way for Fingers that are joyned together by a narrow Inter∣stice, and by burning. On the con∣trary, the actual Cautery, or po∣tential Cautery, for such as are joyned by a broad skin. But espe∣cially the potential, for saint-heart∣ed Men, Women and Children, who had rather venture the worst, than undergo such terrible means.
When you use an actual Can∣tery, the part must be defended with some Cataplasm. Cimolia, or Argilla mollis is the best of all.
By the potential Cautery it is done thus. First, they boil an Hempen thread in a Lixivium of Lime and Ashes; then they take it out of the vessel, and lay it upon a Mar∣ble, wetting it with a little of the Lixivium for an hour. The thread thus prepared, must be laid both on the upper, and under-side; in the interflice of the Fingers or Toes that are to be divided. Or the thread may be fastned to a wooden ring about the Wrist, to make it keep tight to the part that should be cut, without incommo∣ding the sound parts. This is the way of cutting by a thread.
The way of separating by a knife is thus. First, one must feel with his Fingers, all along the co∣herence, especially in a natural one, whether there be any hardness, or suspicion of a Nerve or Vein, which must be avoided; afterwards, when the Section is marked with Iule length-ways, it must be made above half way towards the Fingers ends, and then the other half, viz. from the roots of the Fingers to the place where you begun before. The Knife must be long and small. The next thing is, with Liniments and Diapalma, to cicatrize the Fingers so separated.