“A Perforated Lead Shot provided the best means for securing the ends of a wire suture.  To secure the wire ligature against slipping, it is necessary only to thread or pass the ends through the opening in the shot, pushing the latter down or along the wire as far as necessary to obtain sufficient tension on the parts involved in the suture, and with a Lead Shot Compressor with strong jaws compress the shot until it firmly grips the suture ends.  To make sure slipping will not occur, a second shot is often employed, which is forced down against the first one.”  1889 Truax