[p. 193] are obliged to apply
a cataplasm on account of the swelling, but this is an unsuitable
application to parts which are bandaged on both sides, for a useless
load is added to the throbbing which formerly existed in it. At last
they loose the bandages when matters get very serious, and conduct
the rest of the treatment without bandaging; and notwithstanding,
if they meet with another case of the same description, they treat
it in the same manner, for they do not think that the application
of the bandages on both sides, and the exposure of the wound are the
cause of what happened, but some other untoward circumstance. Wherefore
I would not have written so much on this subject, if I had not well
known that this mode of bandaging is unsuitable, and yet that many
conduct the treatment in this way, whose mistake it is of vital importance
to correct, while what is here said is a proof, that what was formerly
written as to the circumstances under which bandages should be tightly
applied to fractures or otherwise has been correctly written.
Part 26
As a general rule it may be said, that in those cases in which a separation
of bone is not expected, the same treatment should be applied as when
the fractures are not complicated with an external wound; for the
extension, adjustment of the bones, and the bandaging, are to be conducted
in the same manner. To the wound itself a cerate mixed with pitch
is to be applied, a thin folded compress is to be bound upon it, and
the parts around are to be anointed with white cerate. The cloths
for bandages and the other things should be torn broader than in cases
in which there is no wound, and the first turn of the bandage should
be a good deal broader than the wound. For a narrower bandage than
the wound binds the wound like a girdle, which is not proper, or the
first turn should comprehend the whole wound, and the bandaging should
extend beyond it on both sides. The bandage then should be put on
in the direction of the wound, and should be not quite so tight as
when there is no wound, but the bandage should be otherwise applied
in the manner described above. The bandages should be of a soft consistence,
and more especially so in such cases than in those not complicated
with a wound. The number of bandages should not
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