(From an artery, and to cut). It is the opening of an artery for the discharge of blood.

Galen, Antyllus, Oribasius, P. AEgineta, and several others, highly extol this practice in invererate headachs which resist all other means; and as a remedy against violent inflammations of the eyes, the epilepsy, etc. The operation is generally confined to the head, because of the bone being immediately under, and giving the advantage of a proper compress. When the temporal artery is opened, a small knife, such as is used for the fistula lachrymalis, is better than a lancet, and the incision must be so as to divide the artery transversely; then the inconvenience of an aneurism is avoided. Modern authors are greatly divided respecting the utility of arteriotomy. It certainly takes away a large proportion of the blood at once, but relieves only remotely the internal vessels; nor is it certain that its effects are in any instance more considerable than those of bleeding from the arm, if the blood be taken from a large orifice. An inconvenience arises from the mode of the operation, as the artery is cut through, and, consequently, the other vessels are afterwards filled beyond their due proportion. Dr. Butter attempted to remove this inconvenience by-opening the artery longitudinally, and contriving an instrument to prevent the troublesome suppurations which are often the consequence. Yet this instrument was only effectual by compressing and obliterating the artery, so that little was gained by the attempt.

Heister condemns arteriotomy, especially before every other method hath been tried. See Bell's Surgery, i. 146. White's Surgery, 178. .