To reduce this Fracture, the Patient is to be laid upon his Back, with a Convex Body underneath; both his Shoulders are to be press'd with some weight, to push 'em backward, and to raise up the Sternum, which is sunk down; or else an Incision may be made upon the Bone, to discover it; and then a Vectis is to be apply'd thereto very gently, in order to heave it up into its place.
The Dressing and Bandage.
A Bolster and Paste-board are to be laid upon the Sternum, almost of the same Figure with the Part; and the Bandage is to be prepar'd with a Napkin supported with a Scapulary. Or else the Bandage call'd Quadriga may be made with a Band roll'd with two Heads, five Ells long, and four Fingers broad: The Application of this Band is begun under the Arm-pit; the Figure of KY is form'd under the Shoulder; the Band is carry'd downward with the two Balls, once before, and the other behind; it is pass'd under the other Arm-hole; the Heads are cross'd upon the Shoulder, and it is brought down backward and forward, forming a KY before and behind. Afterward the Bank is roll'd about the Breast in making Rollers or Bolsters; these Rollers are continu'd till the Band be terminated; and it is stay'd by a Cirumvolution round the Breast.
C H A P. VII.
Of the Fracture of the Vertebra's.
The Apophyses of the Vertebra's are commonly broken, and their Bodies but seldom: It may be known that the Body of the Vertebra of the Neck and Back is fractur'd by the Palsie of the Arm, accompany'd with the loss of Feeling; by the suppression of Urine;
and by the Palsie of the Sphincter of the Anus; so that the Excrements cannot be any longer retain'd. If these Symptoms appear, it may well be conceiv'd that the Marrow is compress'd, and prickt with Points; for the removing of which, it is necessary to make an Incision upon the Body of the Vertebra in the fractur'd Place.
If the Apophyses Spinosæ are only fractur'd, these Accidents will not happen, only some Pain will be felt: To reduce 'em, the Patient is to be laid upon his Belly, and the Surgeon must use his utmost endeavours to raise up the Bone again, and to set it in its Natural Situation.