[p. 240]succussion should be firm, and those who perform
the extension should be well instructed, so that they may let go their
hold equally to the same extent, and suddenly, and that the ladder
may neither tumble to the ground on either side, nor they themselves
fall forward. But, if the ladder be let go from a tower, or the mast
of a ship, fastened into the ground with its cordage, it will be better,
so that the ropes run upon a pulley or axle-tree. But it is disagreeable
even to enlarge upon these matters; and yet, by the contrivances now
described, the proper succussion may be made.
Part 44
But if the hump be situated very high up, and if succussion be by
all means to be used, it will be better to do it with the feet downward,
as has been said, for the force downward will be the greater in this
case. The patient is to be well fastened to the ladder by cords at
the breast, at the neck by means of a very loose shawl so as merely
to keep the part properly on the ladder, and the head is to be fastened
to the ladder at the forehead, the arms are to be stretched along
and attached to the patient's body, and not to the ladder, and the
rest of the body is not to be bound, except so as to keep it in place
by means of a loose shawl wrapped round it and the ladder; attention,
moreover, should be paid that these ligatures do not interfere with
the force of the succussion, and the legs are not to be fastened to
the ladder, but should be placed near one another, so as to be in
line with the spine. These matters should be thus arranged, if recourse
is to be had at all to succussion on a ladder; for it is disgraceful
in every art, and more especially in medicine, after much trouble,
much display, and much talk, to do no good after all.
Part 45
In the first place, the structure of the spine should be known, for this knowledge
is requisite in many diseases. Wherefore, on the side turned to the
belly (the anterior?) the vertebrae are in a regular line, and are
united together by a pulpy and nervous band of connection, originating
from the cartilages, and extending to the spinal marrow. There are
certain other nervous cords which decussate, are attached (to the
vertebrae?), and are extended from both sides of them. But we will
describe in another work the connections of the veins and arteries,
their
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