[p. 212]several pieces of leather sewed together.
For without something of the kind the heel cannot reach to the head
of the humerus, since, when the arm is stretched, the armpit becomes
hollow, the tendons on both sides of the armpit making counter-contraction
so as to oppose the reduction. But another person should be seated
on the other side of the patient to hold the sound shoulder, so that
the body may not be dragged along when the arm of the affected side
is pulled; and then, when the ball is placed in the armpit, a supple
piece of thong sufficiently broad is to be placed round it, and some
person taking hold of its two ends is to seat himself above the patient's
head to made counter-extension, while at the same time he pushes with
his foot against the bone at the top of the shoulder. The ball should
be placed as much on the inside as possible, upon the ribs, and not
upon the head of the humerus.
Part 4
There is another method of reduction performed by the shoulder of
a person standing. The person operating in this way, who should be
taller than the patient, is to take hold of his arm and place the
sharp point of his own shoulder in the patient's armpit, and push
it in so that it may lodge there, and having for his object that the
patient may be suspended at his back by the armpit, he must raise
himself higher on this shoulder than the other; and he must bring
the arm of the suspended patient as quickly as possible to his own
breast. In this position he should shake the patient when he raises
him up, in order that the rest of the body may be a counterpoise to
the arm which is thus held. But if the patient be very light, a light
child should be suspended behind along with him. These methods of
reduction are all of easy application in the palestra, as they can
all be performed without instruments, but they may also be used elsewhere.
Part 5
Those who accomplish the reduction by forcibly bending it round a
pestle, operate in a manner which is nearly natural. But the pestle
should be wrapped in a soft shawl (for thus it will be less slippery),
and it should be forced between the ribs and the head of the humerus.
And if the pestle be short, the patient should be seated upon something,
that his arm can with difficulty pass above the pestle. But for the
most part the pestle
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