Part 9
In cases of dislocation those persons who are not attacked with inflammation
of the surrounding parts, can use the shoulder immediately without
pain, and do not think it necessary to take any precautions with themselves;
it is therefore the business of the physician to warn them beforehand
that dislocation is more likely to return in such cases than when
the tendons have been inflamed. This remark applies to all the articulations,
but particularly to those of the shoulder and knee, for these are
the joints most subject to luxations. But those who have inflammation
of the ligaments cannot use the shoulder, for the pain and the tension
induced by the inflammation prevent them. Such cases are to be treated
with cerate, compresses, and plenty of bandages; but a ball of soft
clean wool is to be introduced into the armpit, to fill up the hollow
of it, that it may be a support to the bandaging, and maintain the
joint
in situ. The arm, in general, should be inclined upward as much
as possible, for thus it will be kept at the greatest possible distance
from the place at which the head of the humerus escaped. And when
you bandage the shoulder you must fasten the arms to the sides with
a band, which is to be carried round the body. The shoulder should
be
[p. 217]rubbed gently and softly. The physician ought to be acquainted
with many things, and among others with friction; for from the same
name the same results are not always obtained; for friction could
brace a joint when unseasonably relaxed, and relax it when unseasonably
hard; but we will define what we know respecting friction in another
place. The shoulder, then, in such a state, should be rubbed with
soft hands; and, moreover, in a gentle manner, and the joint should
be moved about, but not roughly, so as to excite pain. Things get
restored sometimes in a greater space of time, and sometimes in a
smaller.
