upon the dura mater is to be repressed by the application of a sponge,
well-washed and dried, and if it appears upon the surface of the wound
after the healing of the fracture, it is to be destroyed by the use of
the hermodactyl. When the external wound is healed, the cicatrix is
to be dressed with the _apostolicon cyrurgicum_, an ointment very
valuable for the consolidation of bones, the leveling (_adaequatio?_)
of wounds, etc.

When the wound of the scalp is small, so as to render difficult the
determination of the extent of the fracture by exploration with the
finger, it should be enlarged by crucial incisions, the flaps loosened
from the cranium by a suitable scraper (_rugine_) and folded back
out of the way, and any fragments of bone removed by the forceps
(_pinceolis_). If, however, haemorrhage prevents the immediate removal
of the fragments, this interference may be deferred for a day or
two, until the bleeding has stopped or has been checked by suitable
remedies. Then, after their removal, the piece of linen described
above is to be inserted between the cranium and dura mater. Upon the
cranium and over the flaps of the scalp, as well as in their angles,
the ordinary dressing of albumen is to be applied, covered by a
pledget of lint and a suitable bandage. No ointment, nor anything
greasy, should be applied until after the healing of the wound, lest
some of it may accidentally run down into the fracture and irritate
the dura matter. Some surgeons, Gilbert tells us, insert in the place
of the fragments of the cranium removed a piece of a cup (_ciphi_) or
bowl (_mazer_), or a plate of gold, but this plan, he says, has been
generally abandoned (_dimittitur_.)

Sometimes the cranium is simply cracked without any depression of the
bone, and such fractures are not easily detected. Gilbert tells us,