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
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

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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    and more easily rectified. I do not wish to in- sinuate that placing fractured thighs in the straight position is a new idea—I know it has been, and is now, practised by many—I only mean to say, that, though I have long been accustomed to see them laid in a bent posture, for the reasons above given I prefer the other: at the same time, in case of laying fractures either of the leg or thigh in a straight position, we need not lose sight of Mr. Pott's first and great principle, the benefit and use of relaxing the muscles; and, by raising the thigh to- ward the body, supporting that with pillows, and bending the knee to a certain degree, the same end may be obtained. There is one case where we can have no choice <—I mean when both thighs are broken. Under these circumstances it is evident that the patient must lie on his back, and consequently the thighs must be in the straight position: when thus of necessity placed, they do well;