C H A P. IX.
Of the Luxation of the Humerus, or Arm-Bone.
The Head of the Humerus generally falls under the Arm-Pit, so that the luxated Arm becomes longer than the other, the Acromion appears pointed on the outside; the Elbow starts from the Ribs, and cannot be mov'd without great Pain. To reduce this Bone, the
Patient is to be set upon a low Seat, or else on the Ground, whilst some Person supports his Body with a Napkin: In the mean time the Surgeon is to lay hold on the upper-part of the Humerus, a Servant kneeling behind him, who is to hold the Patient's Arm above the Elbow, which is to pass between the Surgeon's Legs, and is to be drawn down by the Assistant as much as is possible, whilst the Surgeon in like manner draws the Arm, to remove the Head of the Bone out of the place where it was stopt; insomuch that the Bone sometimes makes a Noise in re-entring its Cavity.
Or else the Patient's Arm may be laid upon the Shoulder of a taller Man than himself, who is strongly to draw the luxated Arm upon the Fore-part of his Breast; during which time, the Operator is to push the Head of the Humerus, to cause it to re-enter its Cavity.
Otherwise the Patient may lie on the Ground, a Tennis-Ball being put under his Arm-Pit, which a Servant is to draw strongly with a Handkerchief pass'd under the Shoulder, whilst another Assistant stands behind the Patient, to thrust down the Shoulder with his Foot; at the same time the Surgeon sitting between the Patient's Legs, is to push strongly with his Heel the Ball that lies under the Arm-hole.
Or else, a thick Battoon or Leaver may be laid on the Shoulders of two Men, after a Tennis-Ball hath been nail'd on the middle of it; otherwise a Bunch may be made therein, and cover'd with Linnen-Cloth; two Wooden Pins being also fixt on each side of the Ball:
Then the Patient's Arm-Pit is to be set between those two Pins, and upon the Ball, where he is to remain hanging, whilst his Arm is pull'd down by main force. The same thing may be done by laying the Patient's Arm-Pit upon a Door, or else upon the Round of a Ladder.