BOTANIC PHYSICIAN. 
ately examined, and not suffered to pasi as 
rains and contusions of little consequence ; for in this manner, 
‘many are rendered lame for life, when a little attention might have 
2leton is commonly had recourse to for a knowledge of the 
but this alone is not sufficient, some knowledge of the car- 
ages, ligaments and tendons with which the bones are connected, 
requisite, in ordér to give a correct idea of the injury. There are 
varieties of joints; one the ball and socket, which admits of 
- motion in all directions, as the hip and shoulder: the other, hinge- 
like, which admits of only flexion and extension, as the elbow and _ 
the knee. These last are less liable to dislocation. 
_*- msertion around the bone. 
and generally, the easier ; except when the inflammation and swelling 
are very severe, in which case, that must first be relieved as niuch ag 
possible, before we attemptit. When a joint is suit, arid has lodged 
Several weeks or months among the contigious muscles, the head of 
the bone forms a socket for itself, and is commonly firmly grasped 
_ by the muscles with which it is surrounded. By this time, too, the 
brought in without much pain. - eee 
_ "The treatment of common dislocations is very imple, and may be 
told ina few words: the first object is to put the displaced bone 
Into. its. with as much ease and expedition as possi- — 
ble. To do this, the limb should be placed in that position whieh 
— Swill most relax the muscles; and then sufficient strength exerted to 
draw it into its place ; unless indeed; too great force is likely to be 
required, in which case the muscles should be relaxed by rubbing in 
some softening ointment, as Sweet’s, or something similar; Or it may 
be done in the more homely way, as I have oftea seen practised 
among the farmers, and almost invariably with success, of making 
the patient drank, which niost effectually unbraces the nervous and 
muscular power; thereby rendering the reduetion easy. The se-— 
cond object is, to kéep the bone in its place, till the parts have re — 
_ covered their tone; this, which is seldom difficult, however, is tobe — 
_ done by keeping the limb in a relaxed posture, and, if necessary, b: 
_&bandage. The third object is, to prevent pain and inflammation 
