Grafting

(graft’-ing). Snipping minute portions of skin from a healthy part and planting them on some sore or wound where there is no skin, that they may grow there and help the wound to heal over. The usual method now in use is known as that of Thiersch. The grafts are cut with a razor from the surface of some part such as the thigh where a wide flat surface can be secured: they are floated in warm normal saline solution and then transferred to the surface to be grafted after the latter has been rendered as free as po ible from pus and blood by curetting it with a sharp spoon and then exercising compre ion. The graft should include the epidermis and the tops of the papillæ of the dermis. Strips of oiled-silk protective are usually laid on next to the grafts.