A letter, containing some observations on fractures of the lower limbs : to which is added, an account of a contrivance to administer cleanliness and comfort to the bed-ridden, or persons confined to bed by age, accident, sickness, or any other infirmity / by Sir James Earle.

Date:: 1807

Credit: A letter, containing some observations on fractures of the lower limbs : to which is added, an account of a contrivance to administer cleanliness and comfort to the bed-ridden, or persons confined to bed by age, accident, sickness, or any other infirmity / by Sir James Earle. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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$n fective side. Bat the fact is as I have stated, and has often raised in my mind great objections to placing fractured thighs on the outside. I conceive that the displacement of the bones in this case is often owing to the weight of the pelvis bearing down the superior part of the broken thigh into a depression in the bed; for if this should give way, and become hollow, the whole of the thigh, as far as the fractured part, will be carried down and sink into it, while the lower end of the bone and knee retaining the first position in which they were placed, an obtuse i / angle will be formed; as it is impossible to keep on bandages and splints so tight as to counteract a deviation from the right position, when effected by such powerful means. In this case, very able surgeons, to my knowledge, have been and may again be deceived; for if the bandage be undone, and the thigh viewed in this position, the outline of the upper part of the thigh down to the knee will be perfect, and it$