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In almost all cases of necrosis the dead bone can be removed without operation by the simple process of daily irrigation with diluted hydrochloric acid. This is especially important in spinal necrosis and caries; but is also applicable to necrosis in other parts of the body.
Nearly all our authors are silent on this subject, for though Dupuytren and other older surgeons have spoken of brushing the cavity with strong sulphuric acid, they contemplated merely a caustic action to change the condition of the diseased living parts, and not the dissolving out of the sequestrum. Others, however, have proposed the solvent plan, but without gaining a serious hearing in surgical literature. Billroth, of Vienna, briefly alludes to the subject, but scouts the whole idea in the following strong, but ill considered language: "Chemical solution of the sequestrum is not to be thought of. If you were daily to pour muriatic