_Wounds of the Temporal Artery_ are either the result of accident, or
made intentionally for the purpose of abstracting blood; and it may be
here proper to make a few remarks regarding this latter circumstance.
When it is wished to take away blood from the head, no one thinks
of opening the trunk of the temporal artery; its anterior branch is
generally chosen. By some the vessel is first exposed by means of a
scalpel, and then opened with a lancet. But preliminary incisions
are altogether unnecessary. The vessel ought not to be cut entirely
through, and the incision should extend obliquely across its course;
and care is to be taken that the external aperture shall be larger than
that in the cellular tissue involving the artery, as thus the blood
escapes freely, and no risk is incurred of its becoming infiltrated
into the surrounding parts. When the branch is of the ordinary size,
a sufficient quantity of blood is readily obtained from it; but if,
from its small size, or a faulty form of incision, blood does not flow
freely and quickly, a cupping-glass may be applied, and its lower
edge slightly raised. This latter precaution is absolutely necessary,
for if neglected, little or no blood can escape, the artery being
firmly compressed against the cranium by the edge of the exhausted
glass. No other mode of cupping ought to be practised on the temples,
for the cupping by scarification is here both unwarrantable and
unnecessary—unwarrantable, because the cicatrised scarifications
leave an unseemly and permanent mark on a prominent part of the
countenance,—and unnecessary, since there can be no occasion for six
or eight incisions when one is fully sufficient. The bleeding may be
readily stopped, after the requisite quantity has flowed, by a small
graduated compress placed over the wound, and retained by bandages,
which surround the head, and are afterwards twisted and brought
under the chin in order to increase the security. If by these means
the bleeding is not readily restrained, the vessel may be divided
throughout its whole circumference, by entering the lancet at the
original wound, and moving its point laterally. Then compression is to
be again employed, by the assistance of which the natural processes for
closing the divided extremities are speedily accomplished.
When this artery has been injured by external violence, the wound of
the integuments is generally large, and the bleeding profuse. In such
cases, both ends of the vessel must be pulled out by means of forceps,
and tied separately; afterwards the integuments are to be approximated
and supported.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account