5
- Because the sensory nerves thus treated cannot respond in sensations of pain to the subsequent irritation and tension to which they are liable to be subjected.
STUMP.
The second question raised by critics is that of the nature of the stump.
That the question is one which deserves attention will not be denied. The inadequacy of the stump following enucleation needs only to be mentioned. Dr. Mules, of Manchester, England, struck a responsive sentiment when he published his observation on the use of the glass vitreous, in 1884.
The general feeling was that it would be a great step forward in cosmetic surgery if his method could stand the test of experience.
From the little that has since been said of it I am led to infer that the practice, which was at first so extensively resorted to in Manchester, has not met with extended favor. My experience in the use of the artificial vitreous in six cases was at first very encouraging, but later equally discouraging.
While the balls were at the commencement retained kindly and the patient seemed overjoyed at the excellence of the stump, this joy was converted later into grief in five cases of the six by the absorption of the line of union and the escape of the glass ball. Though my experience in attempting to secure the permanent retention of artificial vitreous is to be regarded as a failure, yet there was an element of instruction in it which I offer for your consideration. It was noticed in some of these cases that even though the glass ball was retained but a few days, it left upon its escape a distended sclerotic, infiltrated with form-
