[p. 222] restored to their place, and the prominence of the bone is
very sharp. For the most part, then, it should be known, no harm results
to the shoulder or to the rest of the body from fracture of the clavicle,
unless it sphacelate, and this rarely happens. A deformity, however,
may arise from fracture of the clavicle, and in these cases it is
very great at first, but by and by it becomes less. A fractured clavicle,
like all other spongy bones, gets speedily united; for all such bones
form callus in a short time. When, then, a fracture has recently taken
place, the patients attach much importance to it, as supposing the
mischief greater than it really is, and the physicians bestow great
pains in order that it may be properly bandaged; but in a little time
the patients, having no pain, nor finding any impediment to their
walking or eating, become negligent; and the physicians finding they
cannot make the parts look well, take themselves off, and are not
sorry at the neglect of the patients, and in the meantime the callus
is quickly formed.| See the Plate at the end of the volume. |
The method of dressing which is most appropriate,
is similar to that used in ordinary cases, consisting of cerate, compresses,
and bandages; and it should be most especially known in this operation,
that most compresses should be placed on the projecting bone, and
that the greatest pressure should be made there. There are certain
physicians who make a show of superior skill by binding a heavy piece
of lead on the part in order to depress the projecting bone; but this
mode of treatment does not apply to the clavicle, for it is impossible
to depress the projecting part to any extent worth mentioning. There
are others who, knowing the fact that the bandages are apt to slip
off, and that they do not keep the projecting parts in their place,
apply compresses and bandages like the others, and then having girt
the patient with a girdle, where it is usually applied with most effect,
they make a heap of the compresses upon the
projecting bone when they apply them, and having fastened the head
of the bandage to the girdle in front, they apply it so as to bring
the turns of it into the line of the clavicle, carrying them to the
back, and then bringing them around the girdle they
|
