Dr. Vinen referred to the case of an officer of the 60th Regiment, who sustained a compound fracture below the knee whilst playing at football in India. The bones were set by some naval surgeons who were watching the game; but in consequence of the leg being deformed, the adhesions were broken and the limb reset. The ankle then remained fixed, and the patient’s health suffered. However, Mr. Erichsen was called in, broke the adhesion, and the patient recovered so thoroughly, that he was enabled to rejoin his battalion in the Transvaal. Dr. Bruce Clarke in reply, pointed out the necessity of distinguishing chronic cases, as such were usually made worse by movement.
In the course of this discussion only one point of the Bone-setter’s practice was alluded to—that of rigid or strumous joints, as if the renown of the Bone-setters art rested on these alone. “There are none so blind as those who will not see.”
PLATE VI.—FRACTURES.
25. Fracture of humerus. 26. Fracture of ulna. 27. Colles’ fracture. 28. Compound fracture of leg (tibia and fibula).
CHAPTER VI.
DISPARAGEMENT AND VINDICATION.
“Who shall decide when doctors disagree?”