Surgery Aiding Music

Piano players have alway 8 experienced trouble in obtaining a free movement of the third or "ring" finger. To become a proficient performer on the instrument, it is necessary to have free use of this member, and to attaiu this end one must practico for years. A Philadelphi a music-teacher recently iuduced a mulatto in his employ - a performer of sotne brilliancy on the piano - to undergo a surgical operation designed to overeóme this diffleulty. The arrangement of the tendons of the third ünger differs materially froin that of the others. The upper or extensor tendón ia eounected on each side with the tendon8 of the second and the little fluger by two smaller or accessory tendoiii!. This acta like a martingale.aud holds the finger down so completely that nothing but constant strain will loosen the pressure. Dr. William S. Forbes, professor of anatomy at the Jefferson Medical College, made two small openings in the back of the left hand and on each side of the extensor tendón, and divided the accessory tendon on each side. The finger was at once released, and immediately after the operation the young man was able to raise the flnger and describe an are of a circle one and one-half inches greater than he could bef ore. The hand was perfectly well in a week, and the young man has the free use of all his flngers. So much more freedom has been given to the member by the operation that the other hand will be subjected to the same operation ehortiy. I