| [p. 282]is the same in a man who is in a similar condition, and forgetting
also that Homer has said, that oxen are most lean at that season.
In this dislocation, then, when not reduced, the patient cannot perform
any of those acts which others do, by raising the arm from the side.
I have thus stated who are the persons most subject to this dislocation,
and how they are affected. In congenital dislocations the nearest
bones are most shortened, as is the case with persons who are weasel-armed;
the fore-arm less so, and the hand still less; the bones above are
not affected. And the parts (near the seat of the injury) are most
wasted in flesh; and this happens more especially on the side of the
arm opposite the dislocation, and that during adolescence, yet in
a somewhat less degree than in congenital cases. The deep-seated suppurations
occur most frequently to new-born infants about the joint of the shoulder,
and these produce the same consequences as dislocations. In adults,
the bones are not so diminished in size, and justly, seeing that the
others will not increase as in the former case; but wasting of the
flesh takes place, for it is increased, and is diminished every day,
and at all ages. And attention should be paid to the force of habit,
and to the symptom produced by the tearing away of the acromion, whereby
a void is left, which makes people suppose that the humerus is dislocated.
The head of the humerus is felt in the armpit, and the patient cannot
raise his arm, nor swing it to this side and that, as formerly. The
other shoulder shows the difference. Modes of reduction:-The patient
himself having placed his fist in the arm pit, pushes up the head
of the humerus with it, and brings the hand forward to the breast.
Another:-Force it backward, so that you may turn it round. Another:-Apply
your head to the acromion, and your hands to the armpit, separate
the head of the humerus (from the side?), and push the elbow in the
opposite direction; or, instead of your knees, another person may
turn aside the elbow, as formerly directed. Or, place the patient
on your shoulder, with the shoulder in his armpit. Or, with the heel,
something being introduced to fill up the hollow of the armpit, and
using the right foot to the right shoulder. Or, with a pestle. Or,
with the step of a ladder. Or, by rotation made with piece of wood
stretched
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