Mochlicus or Instruments of Reduction

Part 1

With regard to the construction of bones

The brief description of the bones given in this paragraph is evidently condensed from a larger work on the subject. A considerable portion of the matter which is found here in an abridged form, is taken from the preceding treatises, On Fractures and On the Articulations, but not the whole of it.

, the bones and joints of the fingers are simple, the bones of the hand and foot are numerous, and articulated in various ways; the uppermost are the largest; the heel consists of one bone which is seen to project outward, and the back tendons are attached to it. The leg consists of two bones, united together above and below, but slightly separated in the middle; the external bone (fibula), where it comes into proximity with the little toe, is but slightly smaller than the other, more so where they are separated, and at the knee, the outer hamstring arises from it

The tendon of the biceps.

; these bones have a common epiphysis below, with which the foot is moved, and another epiphys is above

It will be here perceived that by epiphysis is merely meant a close union of the two bones by means of a ligament. Ther term in this paragraph is not always used in this sense. Strictly speaking, its signification would appear to be a protuberance of a bone. It is applied to the malleoli, to the head of the tibia, to the head and neck of the femur, to the spinous processes of the vertebrae, to the upper and lower extremities of the humerus and to the lower extremity of the radius.

in which is moved the articular extremity of the femur, which is simple and light in proportion to its length, in the form of a condyle, and having the patella (connected with it?), the femur itself bends outward and forward; its head is a round epiphysis which gives origin to ligament inserted in the acetabulum of the hip-joint

Allusion is evidently made to the ligamentum teres.

. This bone is articulated somewhat obliquely, but less so than the