burns. The bandages are to be renewed every third day, and no splints
are to be applied, but rest is to be more rigidly maintained than
in the former cases, along with a restricted diet. It should be known,
that if any piece of flesh or tendon be to come away, the mischief
will spread much less, and the parts will much more speedily drop
off, and the swelling in the surrounding parts will much more completely
subside, under this treatment, than if any of the cleansing applications
be put upon the sore. And if any part that is to come away shall fall
off, the part will incarnate sooner when thus treated than otherwise,
and will more speedily cicatrize. Such are the good effects of knowing
how a bandage can be well and moderately applied. But a proper position,
the other parts of the regimen, and suitable bandages cooperate.


PART 28
If you are deceived with regard to a recent wound, supposing there
will be no exfoliation of the bones, while they are on the eve of
coming out of the sore, you must not hesitate to adopt this mode of
treatment; for no great mischief will result, provided you have the
necessary dexterity to apply the bandages well and without doing any
harm. And this is a symptom of an exfoliation of bone being about
to take place under this mode of treatment; pus runs copiously from
the sore, and appears striving to make its escape. The bandage must
be renewed more frequently on account of the discharge, since otherwise
fevers come on; if the sore and surrounding parts be compressed by
the bandages they become wasted. Cases complicated with the exfoliation
of very small bones, do not require any change of treatment, only
the bandages should be put on more loosely, so that the discharge
of pus may not be intercepted, but left free, and the dressings are
to be frequently renewed until the bone exfoliate, and the splints
should not be applied until then.


PART 29
Those cases in which the exfoliation of a larger piece of bone is
expected, whether you discover this at the commencement, or perceive
subsequently that it is to happen, no longer require the same mode
of treatment, only that the extension and arrangement of the parts
are to be performed in a manner that has been described; but having
formed double compresses, not less than half a fathom in breadth (being
guided in this by the nature of the wound), and considerably shorter
than what would be required to go twice round the part that is wounded,
but considerably longer than to go once round, and in number what
will be sufficient, these are to be dipped in a black austere wine;
and beginning at the middle, as is done in applying the double-headed
bandage, you are to wrap the part around and proceed crossing the
heads in the form of the bandage called «ascia.» These things are
to be done at the wound, and on both sides of it; and there must be
no compression, but they are to be laid on so as to give support to
the wound. And on the wound itself is to be applied the pitched cerate,
or one of the applications to recent wounds, or any other medicine
which will suit with the embrocation. And if it be the summer season,
the compresses are to be frequently damped with wine; but if the winter
season, plenty of greasy wool, moistened with wine and oil, should
be applied. And a goat’s skin should be spread below, so as to carry
off the fluids which run from the wound; these must be guarded against,
and it should be kept in mind, that parts which remain long in the
same position are subject to excoriations which are difficult to cure.


PART 30
In such cases as do not admit of bandaging according to any of the
methods which have been described, or which will be described, great
pains should be taken that the fractured part of the body be laid