A 
102 BOTANIC. PHYSICIAN. _ 
_ greased by every exertion ; and nothing will remove it but replace- ; 
ment. baat a 
In the reduction of fractures or misplaced bones, the operator 
should constantly bear in mind, that the limb should be placed in that 
position which shall give ease andrelaxation to the muscles ; and when 
: 2 done the ends of the bone may generally be replaced with ease. 
When a limb is completely laid in this posture, the surgeon will in 
most cases be able to replace the bone without any assistance. I 
speak of this more particularly, as, till within a few years, it was the 
common practice to keep the limb extended, in this manner requir- 
ing the strength of two or three men, or of machines, to reduce it. 
‘The mischief this would often produce, it is easier to imagine than 
describe. 
_As it is of much importance, in replacing the parts of a fractured 
- ~ bone, -to do. it with accuracy, the most minute attention should be 
given’ to this»part of the operation, Every.inequality, fiom a portion 
f the misplaced bone, should, as much as possible, be removed, so 
as to-render the injured parts similar to the corresponding sound 
limb. When the fractured bones are not properly reduced at first, - 
the limb must either remain always distorted, or be put right during 
. a future stage of the cure, when it will necessa: ily be done. with 
more pain to the patient, and more trouble-to the surgeon. 
The bones being put right, our next object is to. retain them in this 
situation as long as. may be necessary. This we do with splints. 
_ ~ and bandages, and placing the limb in such a state of relaxation as 
~ will admit of its resting easy, and without disturbance till the cure 
: _ 13 completed. t 
_ favorable circumstances, and ina middle.aged patient, may be near- 
3 
pregnancy, too, the bones do not ; 
nes have remained disunited for gee 
roken. bones become smooth and = 
ace them; although this has in some 
medied, by opening the flesh and sawing. 
—— S, 80 as to make a fresh wound ; and in other 
compound fractures, where the bone is ]a; 
are small pieces of bone ntirely detached and. 
ing 1 
In 
there 
