ioe 
force will be required. It is scarcely necessary to observe, t 
muscles of the leg should be as ae a. as roe om or 
the position and by ointments, as before mentioned, before making — 
the attempt. 5 oie 
_ Scarcely any joint is so apt to suffer from inflammation, as that of 
the knee, and also to become exceedingly painful ; these, therefore, 
should be properly guarded against, and the limb for a considerable 
time kept at rest : weevil 
_ The upper as well as the lower end of the outer-shin bone is some- 
times forcibly separated from the shin bone; and this is apt to be — 
overlooked as a sprain, and the bone suffered to remain out of place. _ 
Strict examination should therefore be made in such cases. 2 
sé . 
re gi 
The joint of the ancle, is formed by the ancle bone, or first bone 
ef the foot, being received into a cavity in: the under end of the 
shin bone; which is bounded externally by the end of the outer-shin 
bone, projecting a considerable way past the end of the shin bone. 
The ancle bone may be put out, either backward or forward, out- 
ward or inward, but more frequently in the latter direction, A dis- 
placement is easily discovered by the distortion, pain, and lameness. 
To reduce this dislocation, the leg being properly bent and relaxed, 
the foot should be extended till the point of the ancle bone is clearly. 
passed the end of the shin bone, when it will readily slip into place, | 
or can be pushed in. Pes eens cab 2S eteay Sat SRTi< a veel Pe A 
As dislocation of this joint, if not rightly-replaced, and carefully 
attended to, may produce weakness and lameness through life, par= 
ticularly if the end of the outer shin bone should be broken off, by the 
foot being forced outward ; great care should be taken in setting the 
bones, and afterwards in keeping them in-place, till the fracture it 
perfectly united, and the ancle becomes strong. 25 
4 
DISLOCATION OF THE HEEL AND OTHER BONES OF THE FOOT. 
The heel, which is the largest bone of the foot, is sometimes dis- 
located, sidewise. In this, as well as in luxation of the other bones 
of the foot, the replacement is easy and the judgment of the surgeon 
will readily point out the way in which it is to be done. 
DISTORTED LIMBS. 
Limbs may be distorted from a morbid state of the bones, of 
from a contracted state of the muscles, or both, or from malformation; 
and they arise in all periods of life. = a 
In infancy the bones are soft and pliable, and are easily affected 
by the posture of the body. The bones of the legs are.apt to be- 
come crooked, by causing the children to walk too early: .Phe 
Tickets, will.also cause crookedness, by softening the bones so 
at th d tothe ordinary action of the muscles. But. 
