Part 24
These things relate to cases in which there is fracture of the bones
without protrusion of the same or wound of any other kind. In those
cases in which the bones are simply broken across, and are not comminuted,
but protrude, if reduced the same day or next, and secured in their
place, and if there be no reason to anticipate that any splintered
bones will come away; and in those in which the broken bones do not
protrude, nor is the mode of fracture such that there is reason to
expect the splinters will come out, some physicians heal the sores
in a way which neither does much good nor harm, by means of a cleansing
[p. 192]
application, applying pitch ointment, or some of the dressings for
fresh wounds, or anything else which they are accustomed to do, and
binding above them compresses wetted with wine, or greasy wool, or
something else of the like nature. And when the wounds become clean
and are new healed, they endeavor to bind up the limb with plenty
of bandages, and keep it straight with treatment does some good, and
never much harm. The bones, however, can never be equally well restored
to their place, but the part is a little more swelled than it should
be; and the limb will be somewhat shortened, provided both bones either
of the leg or fore-arm have been fractured.