ot ‘BOTANIC PHYSICTAN. 
in the fracture ; the ends of the broken bone readily yields to pres- 
sure, and it is pulled apart by the weight of the arm. 
‘Tfone of the broken parts is out of place, it should be raised or | 
depressed, as the case may be, and the two ends brought into con- 
tact, and there retained until they are united, To affect this, the 
whole weight of the arm should be suspended in a sling, and thé 
shoulder kept in such a position asshall favor the ease of the broker 
“bone ; for if the elbow is allowed to drop, the arm bone and shoulder- 
blade_ will both fall down, and the broken bone be again separated. 
_ When the ends of the fractured part are properly supported, they 
will generally unite in the course of a fortnight ; but the arm should 
never be used with freedom till the end of the fourth or fifth week. 
__ Fractures of the ribs may be discovered by the seat of the pain, 
and by pressure with the fingers For the most part, the attending | 
symptoms aré moderate; the pain inconsiderable, no fever occurs, 
and the patient.soon gets well; but insome instances the pain if 
sre from the first, the breathing becomes difficult, attended with 
ugh and perhaps a spitting of blood ; and the pulse full, quick, 
nd sometimes oppressed. The breaking of a rib merely cannot 
produce any of these symptoms ; we may therefore suppose, in such 
a case, that the broken rib is pushed inwards, by which the pleura 
and lungs are compressed and lacerated, thereby accounting for these - 
symptons. 
__ In severe cases of fractured ribs, it may be proper to take a quam 
tity of blood. If any inequality discovered ey es eis of the one: hav 
mg risen above the other, we should endeavor, by moderate and equal 
ee replace it ; and to prevent it from rising, a broad leather — | 
be applied tight. around the body to retain it. This belt 
5 with cotton, and kept on four or five weeks. 
, Ef, mst 1 of the symptoms subsiding, an oppressed breathing is 
kept up by air escaping from a puncture in. the. surface of the lungs, 
or by blood discharged from_a ruptured artery into the cavity of the 
‘chest; or when the pain is kept up by the fractured rib being forced 
upon. the pleura; it becomes nécessary to make an opening witht 
When a portion ofthe rib is merely forced inwards, the 
bpe mareedd be made directly upon the injured parts and on the 
_ meilig ‘ bare, the depressed part should be raised, either with _ 
the fingers or forceps. If any air or blood are collected in thecavity 
_of the chest, an opening should be made to discharge them. 
MES OF THE STERNUM OR BREAST BONE. 
by reason of. its elasticitY- 
beat in upon the ra. 
ure ofthis bone arise from its 
ght dons ere 
‘age a an) 
oe: 
