[p. 149] be more or less deep, and narrower or broader, and extremely broad. When a part is cleft, the cleft or
notch which occurs in the bone, to whatever length or breadth, is
a hedra, if the other bones comprehending the cleft remain in their
natural position, and be not driven inwards; for in this case it would
be a depression, and no longer a hedra.
Part 8
A bone may be injured in a different part of the head from that on
which the person has received the wound, and the bone has been laid
bare. This is the fifth mode. And for this misfortune, when it occurs,
there is no remedy; for when this mischief takes place, there is no
means of ascertaining by any examination whether or not it has occurred,
or on what part of the head.
Part 9
Of these modes of fracture, the following require trepanning: the
contusion, whether the bone be laid bare or not; and the fissure,
whether apparent or not. And if, when an indentation (hedra) by a weapon takes place in a bone it be attended with fracture and contusion,
and even if contusion alone, without fracture, be combined with the
indentation, it requires trepanning. A bone depressed from position
rarely requires trepanning; and those which are most pressed and broken
require trepanning the least; neither does an indentation (hedra)
without fracture and contusion require trepanning; nor does a notch,
provided it is large and wide; for a notch and a hedra are the same.
Part 10
In the first place, one must examine the wounded person, in what part
of the head the wound is situated, whether in the stronger or weaker
parts; and ascertain respecting the hairs about the wound, whether
they have been cut off by the instrument, and have gone into the wound;
and if so, one should declare that the bone runs the risk of being
denuded of flesh, and of having sustained some injury from the weapon.
These things one should say from a distant inspection, and before
laying a hand on the man; but on a close examination one should endeavor
to ascertain clearly whether the bone be denuded of flesh or not;
and if the denuded bone be visible to the eyes, this will be enough;
but otherwise an examination must be made with the sound.
And if you find the bone denuded of the flesh,
