that ligatures of various kinds serve an admirable purpose. Take for instance, the superior central incisors. These usually have but a small point of contact, with considerable space between them at the gum, and it is very difficult to put in a wedge of rubber, wood, or tape, that will not slip up against the gum, or come out altogether. If a ligature is used, the knots can be so tied that the string will clasp the point of contact in such a manner as to hold it quite firmly in place. There are many ways of making the knots; one is to pass the silk once between the teeth, then tie a surgeon's knot; but, before drawing it up, pass one of the ends again between the teeth, and then draw the knot so it will wedge from the gum towards the cutting ends; draw it closely, then finish by tying so that the last knot will be at the labial, or palatal side of the teeth. Another way is to make a series of knots like a chain stitch in crochet work, thus enlarging the silk for a suitable length; draw this between the teeth and tie as before, omitting the first knot that is drawn between the teeth. Another, and a very good way of enlarging the ligature, is, after well waxing it, to roll a little cotton around the silk as you would around a broach for wiping out a root canal, and draw this between the teeth and tie the same as when the silk is knotted. Still another method, easy of application and very effective in almost all cases where there is a cavity in one or both of the teeth, is to secure a pellet of cotton with the ligature. The silk is placed between the teeth in some of the before-mentioned ways; a pellet of cotton is forced into the cavity, projecting against the adjoining tooth, then the silk is tied firmly around the cotton. The swelling of the cotton and silk will make all the space necessary between any of the front teeth with but one application. The bulging of the cotton into the cavity or cavities, caused by tying the silk around it will hold it securely in place. This makes by far the most satisfactory wedge I have ever used, and, so far as I am aware, is original with me. It is sometimes well to open the cavity slightly with an excavator or chisel before wedging, so that the cotton will be more readily retained. For bicuspids and molars more than one application may be needed if much space is required. Quick wedging is sometimes possible, and when it can be done readily is usually desirable. Teeth that move easily may be separated sufficiently for operations by placing a wedge at the point of contact, and another near the gum, applying force gently with the hand, or light blows with a mallet, first on one, and then on the other, until wedged enough. Then remove the wedge that interferes most with the operation, leaving the other in place. Another way that often works well with children and with teeth that move readily, is to insert a large piece of rubber and let it remain from fifteen to twenty minutes, when the rubber will have opened