[ 224 ] 



CHAP. XXIV. 



Of Strains in Vanous Parts. 



Stramsde- TT IS necelTary to cbferve, that in all 

 j^ribed. J[ drains, the mufcular or tendinous 

 fibres are overfcretched j and fometime3 

 ruptured, or broke. To form there- 

 fore a true idea of thefe diforders, let us 

 firll confider every mufcle and tendon 

 as compofed of fpringy, elaftic fibres, 

 which have a proper power of their own 

 to contrad and extend themfelves ; or, 

 to make their aclion more famiHar, let 

 us compare them to a piece of cat- 

 gut, that we may the better judge with 

 what propriety oily medicines are dirc6led 

 for their cure. Thus then, if by a vio- 

 lent extenfion of this cat-gut, you had fo 

 overflretched it, as to deftroy its fpringi- 

 Ollyme- nefs or elafticity, and was inclined to re- 

 dicines cover its loft: tone ; would you far that 

 improper purpofe think of foaki*ng it in oil ? And 

 for ilrains. j3 j^Q|. jl^g method of treating flirains, or 



CD ^ 



overfl:retched mufcles and tendons, full 

 as prepofterous, when you bathe or foak 

 them in oily medicines, at a time that 

 they want reftringents to brace them up ? 



Yet 



