FOREARM FRACTURE.
First Aid Rule.—Set bones in proper place by pulling steadily on wrist while assistant holds back the upper part of the forearm. If unsuccessful, leave it for surgeon to reduce after "period of inaction" comes, a few days later, when swelling subsides. If successful, put padded splints (pieces of cigar box padded with handkerchiefs) one on each side, front and back, and wind a bandage about whole thing to hold it immovably.
Two bones enter into the structure of the forearm. One or both of these may be broken. The fracture may be simple or compound,[7] when the soft parts are damaged and the break of the bone communicates with the air, the ends of the bone even projecting through the skin.
In fracture of both bones there is marked deformity, caused by displacement of the broken fragments, and unusual motion may be discovered; a grating sound may also be detected but, as stated before, manipulation of the arm should be avoided.
Fig. 15.
SETTING A BROKEN FOREARM (Scudder).
See manner of holding arm and applying adhesive plaster strips; one splint is shown, another is placed back of hand and forearm.
When only one bone is broken the signs are not so marked, but there is usually a very tender point at the seat of the fracture, and an irregularity of the surface of the bone may be felt at this point. If false motion and a grating sound can also be elicited, the condition is clear. The broken bones are put into their proper place by the operator who pulls steadily on the wrist, while an assistant grasps the upper part of the forearm and pulls the other way. The ends of the fragments are at the same time pressed into place by the other hand of the operator, so that the proper straight line of the limb is restored.