[p. 208]to the ordinary extent. All these cases are to be treated in a similar way,
whether the extremity of the articulating bone be snapped off, whether
the bones be separated, or whether they be dislocated; for they are
all to be treated with plenty of bandages, compresses, and cerate,
like other fractures. The position of the joint in all these cases
should be the same, as when a fractured arm or fore-arm has been bound
up. For this is the most common position in all dislocations, displacements,
and fractures; and it is the most convenient for the subsequent movements,
whether of extension or flexion, as being the intermediate stage between
both. And this is the position in which the patient can most conveniently
carry or suspend his arm in a sling. And besides, if the joint is
to be stiffened by callus, it were better that this should not take
place when the arm is extended, for this position will be a great
impediment and little advantage; if the arm be wholly bent, it will
be more useful; but it will be much more convenient to have the joint
in the intermediate position when it becomes ankylosed. So much with
regard to position.
Part 48
In bandaging, the head of the first bandage should be placed at the
seat of the injury, whether it be a case of fracture, of dislocation,
or of diastasis (separation?), and the first turns should be made
there, and the bandages should be applied most firmly at that place,
and less so on either side. The bandaging should comprehend both the
arm and the fore-arm, and on both should be to a much greater extent
than most physicians apply it, so that the swelling may be expelled
from the seat of the injury to either side. And point of the fore-arm
should be comprehended in the bandaging, whether the injury be in
that place or not, in order that the swelling may not collect there.
In applying bandages, we must avoid as much as possible accumulating
many turns of the bandage at the bend of the arm. For the principal
compression should be at the seat of the injury, and the same rules
are to be observed, and at the same periods, with regard to compression
and relaxation, as formerly described respecting the treatment of
broken bones; and the bandages should be renewed every third day;
and they should appear
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