SEBACEOUS CYSTS.
These should be removed before they become larger or suppurate. When the cyst occurs upon the scalp, the hair over it should be cut close, and the skin cleansed by washing with a weak sublimate solution. An incision made with a fine scalpel suffices to permit of the shelling out of the cyst with its wall intact, the dissection being .accomplished by a few strokes of the point or by the handle of the scalpel or blunt end of the forceps.
Where these tumours are situated upon the face or forehead, a very small incision into the skin and cyst wall may be made, and by firm pressure of the thumb the sebaceous matter can be squeezed through the opening, after which the wall of the cyst should be forcibly dragged through the incision. It is more satisfactory to dissect out small cysts without rupture or extravasation of their contents, and no portion of their walls should be left behind. The lines of the incision should take the
direction of any natural lines, furrows or wrinkles so as to avoid un necessary marking.
The haemorrhage being controlled and the wound rendered thoroughly aseptic by the free use of Carbolic Lotion, the lips are brought together, and every trace of moisture dried up by absorbent wool, when a few layers of Collodion applied over the skin keep the edges of the wound in contact, and exercise sufficient pressure after drying to prevent oozing or rhage.
The injection of Ether or irritants to produce suppuration or to act upon the sebaceous matter is an obsolete method. When suppuration has already occurred, the best procedure is to make a free incision into the abscess and destroy the cyst wall with strong Carbolic Acid, or to employ the curette when the wall is fused with the surrounding tissues.