SECT. CIX.—ON DISTORTION FROM THE UNION BY CALLUS.
When bones heal distortedly by callus, no little lameness takes place, more particularly if in the feet. The method then of breaking them over again is not at all to be admitted, as it may occasion the utmost danger; but if the callus be newly formed, we must have recourse to the allusions of a relaxing nature, and to cataplasms, such as those from fat olives and pigeon’s dung, and the other medicines for dissolving callus; and we also dispel it by friction with the hand, and bending it every way. But if it be of a stony hardness, we make an incision of the skin with a scalpel, and separate the union of the bones with chisels, and then cure the fracture as formerly said.
Commentary. Celsus approves of breaking the bones over again. With this intention he directs us, in the first place, to bathe the limb with much hot water, and rub it with liquid cerate; the callus is then to be moved with the hands, and the ends of the bone properly set; or if that cannot be thus accomplished, a rule is to be wrapped round with wool and bound upon the part, so as to restore it to its proper shape.
Avicenna agrees with Celsus in speaking favorably of breaking the bone over again. He also speaks favorably of the other treatment recommended by our author.
Rhases recommends emollient applications, and gentle attempts to restore the figure of the limb. Albucasis mentions the proposal of breaking the bone again with disapprobation.