328 Mayow 



Of similar service is handling of the hypochondria, 

 pressing the viscera now upwards, now downwards, 

 and sometimes introducing the points of the fingers 

 below the false ribs ; for in this way care is taken 

 that the liver and the viscera do not suffer from any 

 unnatural adhesion to the peritoneum or elsewhere, as 

 not unfrequently happens in this disorder, on account 

 of the tenseness of the hypochondria. 



Bandages are, besides, of service, placed on the legs 

 above the knee, and on the arms above the forearm, 

 but they should be loose and soft, so as not to inter- 

 fere with the growth of the part to which they are 

 applied ; indeed the usefulness of bandages consists 

 in this, that they tend to divert the flow of blood 

 from the head and to conduct it to the emaciated 

 parts. 



Reference should also be made of the use of splints 

 applied to some parts, as also of leggings, which are 

 of no small use, not only for strengthening the parts, 

 but also for diminishing the curvature of the bones 

 and the flexure of the joints. In their use, care 

 should be taken that they press a little on the pro- 

 tuberant part of the bone but scarcely touch the 

 hollow. 



For keeping the trunk of the body erect, stays 

 may be made, sewed in double cloth with numerous 

 pieces of whalebone placed between ; they are to be 

 so adapted to the child's body that the spine is held 

 erect and the prominent bones repressed. 



Nor should we forget the artificial suspension of 

 the body by means of a pendulous instrument, so 

 formed of belts that the chest is embraced by it 

 below the armpits, that the head is surrounded by 

 another belt coming below the chin, and the hands 

 held by a pair of handles, so that the weight of the 



