When the fingers were fully straightened, the ends of the divided tendons still overlapped each other to the extent of about a third of an inch, and these portions, in each tendon, were then carefully sewn together by catgut sutures. The wound was then closed and dressed antiseptically (without drainage), and the hand was placed upon a plaster-of-Paris splint; the wrist and fingers being moderately flexed, in order that no undue tension should be thrown upon the united tendons. Healing took place by first intention. At the end of a week the fingers were partially extended, and four days later the extension was made complete, the alteration of position on each occasion being effected without difficulty, and at the expense of little pain. In the middle of the fourth week after the operation a feeble power of flexion had appeared. The patient was discharged on November 13, twenty-six days after the operation. Two months later the condition had much improved, and the voluntary flexion, although still weak, was almost complete as to range. All the tendons had evidently united firmly. She was directed to wear an extension splint at night, and to practise active and passive movement at intervals in the day-time. At the end of a further three months the patient, who lived in the country, came again to London. She had been growing taller in the interval, and said that the contraction had been gradually reappearing. On inquiry it was found that she had neglected her instructions as to extension and motion. Some slight return of the flexion had appeared in the ring and little fingers, and has since been steadily increasing, till it is now almost as great as when she first attended. She has made no adequate effort to oppose the retrogression, but has almost entirely discontinued to use the affected hand. She is still, however, able to move the fingers freely at all the joints. She desires to undergo another operation; but has been advised to obey the directions given to her after the first, and to wait until her growth is quite complete before any more active surgical treatment is undertaken. [Illustration: FIG. 8. DIAGRAMS SHOWING METHOD OF TENDON LENGTHENING. A. Tendon split longitudinally; B. Section completed by incisions at extremities of fissure; C. Divided tendon elongated and sutured.]