This article is only available in the PDF format. Download the PDF to view the article, as well as its associated figures and tables.
Without investigating the literature, I offer the following method of treating persistent fissures of the lip.
A pledget of cotton is moistened in 10 per cent. cocain solution and applied to the area for a few minutes. This will not give perfect anesthesia, but diminishes the slight pain caused. With a fine cutting needle a single stitch of medium-sized dermal suture material is made through the center of the fissure, then before tying the knot the fissure is painted once with 25 per cent. silver nitrate solution, and after the knot is tied compound tincture of benzoin is applied.
The patients report that the pain occasioned by movement of the lips ceases immediately, and healing is prompt. The stitch is removed in from three to five days.
This method is offered for what it is worth. I have used it in about six cases, and in all of them healing