FRACTURE OF THE SIXTH COST7E, &e. 427 
larly when disturbed ; scarify the swelling, and rub in ammonia- 
cal oil. Give as a drink — 
Spt. ether, nit. 
Tinct. ferri inuriat. aa Jj 
Infus. lini sylvestris Oj. 
6th . — Pulse 56. Appetite good ; clear serum dropping from 
every puncture, and the swelling much reduced. Repeat medi- 
cine as before. 
7th . — Pulse 40. Appetite normal ; swelling fast subsiding. 
The roller was removed, and the lips of the wound were observed 
to have retracted. Some of the sutures had given way ; suppu- 
ration had taken place, but to no great extent. Remove the un- 
done sutures that still remain ; slightly sponge the wound ; use 
very little water. I confess that I am a little fearful that some of 
the droppings may penetrate into the cavity of the chest. Dress 
with warm compound myrrh tincture ; exclude the air with the 
emp transparens, and apply the roller. 
8 th . — Pulse regular — feeding well — swelling nearly gone. Re- 
move the bandages, hand-rub the legs and apply the bandages 
again. Diet to consist of bran mashes and crushed oats, with 
good hay : give in his mashes 
Ferri rubig 3ij 
Nit. potass iij. 
The above treatment was continued until the 11th, when the 
roller was removed. The remainder of the sutures had given 
way, and were removed. Cleanse the wound, and dress as 
before, and apply the emp. transparens. 
14th . — The wound was again examined, and was found to be 
going on well, the healing process making rapid progress. Add 
a solutio sulph. zinci to the tincture, and dress as before. 
Continue medicine. When the roller is removed, the air con- 
tinues to escape from the opening, which was evident from the 
distention and collapse of the emp. transparens. This was 
synchronous with respiration until the 5th of August, when the 
wound finally closed, and a cure was accomplished. The rib 
was speedily covered with granulations, and no untoward symp- 
toms intervened after the 7th. 
In cases similar to the above, I consider the emp. transparens 
indispensable. We may remove the bandages, and observe how 
the wound is going on, without exposure to the atmosphere. 
