Step 3. To support the elbow, the longest border or base of a three-cornered handkerchief is carried under it, one end passes in front, the other behind the body; both are then drawn tightly and crossed over the opposite shoulder, where one end is taken under the axilla, and tied in front. In giving this direction the ring-pads shown in the figures are supposed not to be at hand. Lastly, the loose corner at the wrist is folded neatly and pinned up (see fig. 39).
Fig. 39.—Apparatus for broken Clavicle finished.
This apparatus must be watched from time to time, and re-adjusted if any part slips. The sling and pad are to be worn for four weeks.
Union sometimes takes place in three weeks or less, in which case the pad may be removed so much the earlier; but a sling should be worn for a fortnight after the bandage and pad are laid aside. In children the pad must be very much thinner and shorter than that described; the sling should be replaced by a bandage carried alternately round the body, and over the opposite shoulder. After it is put on the turns should be well stitched together, and smeared over with stiff starch. In bandaging children, great care must be taken to protect with wool the parts likely to be chafed.
Figure-of-8 bandage.—Many surgeons still employ a figure-of-8 bandage carried under each axilla and crossed behind the back. Under any circumstances this is exceedingly irksome to the patient, but is least so if two silk handkerchiefs be substituted for the bandage, one being passed round each shoulder and the ends of both braced tightly together behind the back. The wedge-shaped pad may be dispensed with if the shoulders are braced back, but the elbow must still be raised and drawn to the side.
The American surgeons have a very good plan for attaching the sling to the sound shoulder. Instead of carrying the ends of the sling round the shoulder and under the axilla, they pass over the shoulder a loose but well-stuffed collar or ring-pad (see fig. 38), to which they fasten the ends of the sling in front and behind; this prevents all cutting or chafing under the armpit, and distributes the strain evenly.
LOWER EXTREMITY.
Ruptured tendo Achillis is treated by extending the foot and flexing the knee; for this purpose the patient wears a high-heeled slipper. A band is sewn to the heel, drawn tight, and fastened to a buckle and strap round the thigh, just above the knee. The patient should not walk for a month unless he will use a wooden leg on which he can kneel, with the knee bent.
Separation of the Epiphysis of the Calcaneum, which sometimes occurs instead of rupture of the tendo Achillis, is treated in the same way.