The attenuation of the body is to be made proportionate to the magnitude
of the luxation, for one luxation is to be a small, and another to
a great extent. But in general we must reduce more, and for a longer
time, in injuries about the legs, than in those about the hands; for
the former parts are larger and thicker than the latter, and it is
necessary that the body should be kept in a state of rest, and in
a recumbent position. There is nothing to prevent or require the limb
to be bandaged anew on the third day. And all the treatment otherwise
is to be conducted in like manner, as in the preceding cases. And
if the patient have resolution to lie quiet, forty days will be sufficient
for this purpose, if only the bones be properly reduced, but if he
will not lie quiet, he will not be able to use the limb with ease,
and he will find it necessary to wear a bandage for a long time. When
the bones are not properly replaced, but there has been some defect
in this respect, the hip, the thigh, and the leg become wasted, and
if the dislocation be inward, the external part of the thigh is wasted,
and vice versa. But for the most part the dislocation is inward.


PART 15
And when both bones of the leg are broken without a wound of the skin,
stronger extension is required. We may make extension by some of the
methods formerly described, provided the bones ride over one another
to a considerable degree. But extension by men is also sufficient,
and for the most part two strong men will suffice, by making extension
and counterextension. Extension must naturally be made straight in
a line with the leg and thigh, whether on account of a fracture of
the bones of the leg or of the thigh. And in both cases they are to
be bandaged while in a state of extension, for the same position does
not suit with the leg and the arm. For when the fractured bones of
the arm or fore-arm are bandaged, the fore-arm is suspended in a sling,
and if you bind them up while extended, the figures of the fleshy
parts will be changed in bending the arm at the elbow, for the elbow
cannot be kept long extended, since persons are not in the custom
of keeping the joint long in this form, but in a bent position, and
persons who have been wounded in the arm, and are still able to walk
about, require to have the arm bent at the elbow-joint. But the leg,
both in walking and standing, is habitually extended, either completely
or nearly so, and is usually in a depending position from its construction,
and in order that it may bear the weight of the rest of the body.
Wherefore it readily bears to be extended when necessary, and even
when in bed the limb is often in this position. And when wounded,
necessity subdues the understanding, since the patients become incapable
of raising themselves up, so that they neither think of bending the
limb nor of getting up erect, but remain lying in the same position.
For these reasons, neither the same position nor the same mode of
bandaging applies to the arm and to the leg. If, then, extension by
means of men be sufficient, we should not have recourse to any useless
contrivances, for it any useless contrivances, for it is absurd to
employ mechanical means when not required; but if extension by men
be not sufficient, you may use any of the mechanical powers which
is suitable. When sufficiently extended, it will be easy to adjust
the bones and bring them into their natural position, by straightening
and arranging them with the palms of the hand.


PART 16
When the parts are adjusted, you should apply the bandages while the
limb is in a stretched position, making the first turns to the right
or to the left, as may be most suitable; and the end of the bandage
should be placed over the fracture, and the first turns made at that
place; and then the bandage should be carried up the leg, as described
with regard to the other fractures. But the bandages should be broader
and longer, and more numerous, in the case of the leg than in that