Are old Men or Children most subject to these Fractures of the Bones?
Old Men, because their Bones are drier; whereas those of Infants are almost Cartilaginous, and yield or give way to the violence offer'd to 'em; from whence proceed the sinkings and hollowness that happen in their Skulls, especially in the Mould of their Heads, or elsewhere; for which a Remedy is found out by the means of Plaisters, Splints, and Bandages, fitted to the shape of the Parts. It is also on the same Account that Bones are more easily broken in the Winter than in the Summer.
In what Parts are the Fractures of Bones most dangerous?
They are those that happen in the Skull and Joints; in the former by reason of the Brain; and in the latter in regard of the Nervous Parts.
What Course is to be taken by a Surgeon who is sent for to cure a Fracture?
He ought to do three things, that is to say, at first he must incessantly endeavour to reduce it, to the end that Nature may re-unite the Parts with greater Facility, and that its Extremities may be brought together again with less trouble, before a Swelling, Inflammation, or Gangrene happen in the Part. Afterward he is to use means to retain the Parts in their proper Figure, and
natural Situation, and to prevent all sorts of Accidents.
How is the setting of a broken Bone to be perform'd?
When the Fracture is Cross-wise, it must be reduc'd by Extension and contra-Extension; and when it is in length, the Coaptation or bringing together again of the Sides, is only necessary.
What is to be done in a Fracture complicated with a Wound?