away the left half of the
inferior maxilla, stripping the soft parts as high as the malar, and on
the left side of the neck to within 1 1/2 inches of the clavicle,
laying bare the transverse processes of the 2d and 3d vertebrae, end
exposing the external carotid and most of its branches.

It sometimes happens that a foreign body, such as the breech of a gun,
may be imbedded for some time in the face, with subsequent safe
removal. Keith mentions an instance of the successful removal of the
breech of a fowling-piece from the face, at the root of the nose, after
a lodgment of four months; and Fraser cites an analogous instance in
which the breech was imbedded in the bones of the face for eight years
Smith records an instance in which a broken piece of tobacco-pipe
penetrated the cheek, remained there for seven months, but was
successfully extracted.

Before leaving accidents to the head and neck, a most curious case,
cited by O'Neill, will be briefly reviewed. A boy of twelve was
entrusted to carry a new iron pot to the destination of its purchaser.
Probably to facilitate transportation, the boy removed his hat and
placed the pot obliquely on the back part of his head, but a sudden
movement caused it to slip forward and downward over the head.
Unavailing efforts were made at the time and after he reached home, to
remove the pot from his head, but in vain, and he continued all the
night greatly prostrated by fright, hunger, and thirst, together with
the efforts at removal. The next morning he was taken to a neighboring
blacksmith, who, by greasing one of his fingers, managed to insinuate
it between the head and pot. Placing the other side of the pot against
an anvil he struck over the location of his finger a quick, heavy tap
with a hammer, and the pot fell to pieces. The little patient was much
exhausted by all his treatment and want of sleep, and, in fact, could
hardly have endured his situation much longer.

CHAPTER XI.

SURGICAL ANOMALIES OF THE EXTREMITIES.

Reunion of Digits.--An interesting phenomenon noticed in relation to
severed digits is their wonderful capacity for reunion. Restitution of
a severed part, particularly if one of considerable function, naturally
excited the interest of the older writers. Locher has cited an instance
of avulsion of the finger with restitution of the avulsed portion; and
Brulet, Van Esh, Farmer, Ponteau, Regnault, and Rosenberg cite
instances of reunion of a digit after