liEPAIll OF IKJUlilES TO VITAL STKUOTUKES. 285 



Art may further assist Nature by placing the bones, not only in apposi- 

 tion, but by replacing them in their correct, i. e. natural position, and 

 maintaining them in that position by means of splints, or by extension, 

 as may be needed in each case. We cannot bind and nail together 

 broken bones, as we can fractured pieces of non-vital structures, say two 

 pieces of wood. We can only place and maintain the broken bones in 

 such apposition, that Nature, thus assisted, may be able to cany on the 

 process of reunion by her own means. 



Again, bones may be placed in apposition. The process of repair may 

 go on favorably for a time ; but the powers of Nature may flag before 

 reunion has taken place, i. e. before the process of repair is completed. 



The same i-emarks apply to other injuries or wounds. In all cases in 

 the first instance we must place the parts in the best condition for Nature 

 to carry on her processes of repair ; second, it may, and pretty generally 

 is necessary to assist Nature in the later stage of the needed repair. 



Take for instance sprain of a tendon ; 1st, we must place the animal in 

 a state of rest and ease. We may in some cases take the weight off the 

 sprained tendon by the application of a high heeled shoe. Under such 

 favorable circumstances the process of repair by Nature's means will go 

 on favorably ; but Nature may require to be assisted in the later stages 

 of repair. 



Again in flesh wounds, 1st we assist Natm'e by removing foreign 

 bodies in the wound, 2nd we bring the parts together, and in some cases 

 according to circimistances keep them together by sutures. Nature will 

 then be in a favorable position to carry on her reparative process. But 

 Nature's power may flag, and re-excitement of her powers by artificial 

 means may be needed. 



No two cases in detail are exactly similar. In the above remarks we 

 have merely sketched the broad principles of repair by Nature, assisted 

 by Art. 



570d. Of .developing the powers of Nature or assisting Nature in her 

 jrrocesses of repair. 



All parts of the Body are formed from the Blood. The blood is the 

 sustaining and repairing element of the vital frame. From it are drawn 

 the materials needed for the daily sustenance of the frame. From it, in 

 cases of injury an increased quantity of reparative material is required to 

 be di'awn for the repair of the injured part. 



The condition neded to aft'ord this increased quantity of reparative 

 material is that commonly known as inflammation. 



570e. Vital Processes. 



There are certain processes of Nature termed Vital processes, which 

 we cannot exactly explain. 



AVe know, for instance, that the material needed for the daily ordi- 

 nary maintenance of the bodily fraiuo is extracted from the blood. 



Wo know again, that each vital structure in the bodily frame extracts 



