When the Ligament of the Tongue in Infants is extended to its Extremity, they cannot suck without difficulty; and when grown up, they have an impediment in their Speech. This Ligament may be cut with a little pair of Sizzers; to which purpose the Thumb of the Left-hand being laid upon the Gum of the lower Jaw, to keep the Mouth open, the Tongue may be rais'd upward with the Fore-Finger of the same Hand, and the Sizzers may be pass'd between the two Fingers, to divide the String as near as is possible to the Root of the Tongue, avoiding the Vessels: If an Hæmorrhage happens, recourse may be had to Styptick-Waters. Afterward the Nurse must take care to let a Finger be often put into the Child's Mouth, to prevent the re-uniting of the String. * * * * * {260} CHAP. XXVII. _Of the Operation of opening stopt _Ductus_'s._ If there be only one Membrane that stops the Entrance of the _Vagina_, an Incision may be made, and a Leaden Pipe put into it, having Rings to fasten it to the Waste, to hinder the re-uniting of the Wound. If the Lips of the _Pudendum_ are conglutinated or clos'd up, the Patient must be laid upon her Back, and her Knees rais'd up, in order to make an Incision with a crooked Incision-Knife, beginning at the Top; and then a Leaden Pipe is to be put into the Opening. If the _Vagina_ be fill'd with a Fleshy Substance, an Incision is to be made therein, till it be entirely perforated, putting at the same time a Leaden Tube into the Orifice. If the Urinary _Ductus_ as well in young Boys as in Virgins, be stopt up, an Incision is to be made therein with a very narrow Lancet; and if a small Leaden Pipe can be conveniently introduc'd, it may be done; but it is not very necessary, in regard that Children are almost always making Water, which wou'd of it self hinder the closing of the Orifice. If the _Ductus_ of the Ear be stopt with a Membrane, it must be perforated, taking care not to go too far, for fear of piercing the Membrane of the _Tympanum_ or Drum, and {261} a small Leaden Pipe is to be put into the Opening. If there be a carnous Excrescence on the outside of the Ear, a Ligature ought to be made therein, or else it may be cut with a pair of Sizzers, to cause it to fall off; and the rest of the Fleshy Substance that remains in the Ear must be consum'd with Causticks, convey'd to the Part by the means of a small Tube, care being had, nevertheless, to avoid cauterizing the _Tympanum_. * * * * * CHAP. XXVIII. _Of the Operation of the _Phimosis_ and _Paraphimosis_._