In this suture are employed one or more strands of silkworm gut; two small gauze sponges; two metal buttons, each the size of a 25-cent piece, and perforated at its center with a one-sixteenth, inch hole, and two or more perforated shot. The sponge, button and shot holding each end of the intestine are placed a suitable distance from the line of incision, and tightened to secure the desired approximation. There occurs a pronounced ridge along the line of incision. The ends of the absorbable subcuticular suture closing the skin are treated as are the tension sutures.
Cost of Preventable Sickness.
—A recent survey of five townships in Duchess County, made by the State Charities Aid Association, disclosed the fact that preventable sickness was costing the county at a conservative estimate $412,000 a year in actual money, to say nothing of continued invalidism, bereavement and loss of productive power to