This form of suture is employed where the wound or incision is superficial though extensive. The blanket or button-hole stitch (fig. 414) is the one most to be preferred. The stitch is commenced at one extremity of the wound, and after the needle has been passed through the two lips it "is then carried under the slack of the thread, so that the loop of each stitch after being tightened shall be at right angles to the edge of the wound, while the portion intervening between the stitches is parallel to it". To fasten it off, the needle is passed in the opposite direction through the edges of the incision, and tied as shown in the diagram. In the employment of continuous sutures care should be taken that the edges are perfectly coapted, and that no puckering or wrinkling result from it.

Fig. 413. - Interrupted or Simple Suture.

Fig. 414. - Continuous Suture.