XXXIV 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 



ailment lies. Those only, who have personally 

 experienced the skill of the bone-setter, can form 

 a true estimation of his merit in managing fractures, 

 and in reducing dislocations. Further than this, 

 his services in the healing and restorative art 

 would never be looked for. This last is entirely 

 the province of Galen and his numerous family 

 of practitioners, 



Wherefore, at the time that I unequivocally 

 avow to have the utmost respect for the noble art 

 of surgery in all its ramifications, I venture to 

 reserve to myself (without any disparagement to 

 the learned body of gentlemen who profess it), sincere 

 esteem for the old practitioners who do so much 

 for the public good amongst the lower orders, 

 under the denomination of British bone-setters. 



Many people have complained to me of the rude 

 treatment at the hands of the bone-setter; but, let 

 these complainants bear in mind, that, what has 

 been undone by force, must absolutely be replaced 

 by force; and that, gentle and emollient applications, 

 although essentially necessary in the commence- 

 ment, and also in the continuation of the treatment, 

 would ultimately be of no avail, without the final 

 application of actual force to the injured parts. 

 Hence the intolerable and excruciating pain on 

 these occasions. The actual state of the accident 

 is to blame ; not the operator. 



