John Scott on the treatment of diseases of the joints, and of ulcers and chronic inflammation : a new edition, with an introduction and a chapter on the constitutional origin and treatment of diseases of the joints / by William Henry Smith.

  • Scott, John, 1798-1846.
Date:
1857
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: John Scott on the treatment of diseases of the joints, and of ulcers and chronic inflammation : a new edition, with an introduction and a chapter on the constitutional origin and treatment of diseases of the joints / by William Henry Smith. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    others a foot, others half these two lengths, and the shorter or longer are selected according to the size of the part round which they are to be applied. This is the only difficult part of the process. This adhesive bandage ought to be so applied as to preclude the motion of the joint, prevent the feeble coats of the blood-vessels from being distended by the gravitation of their contents in the erect posture, and thereby promote their contraction. Over this adhesive bandage, thus applied, comes an additional covering of emplastrum saponis, spread on thick leather, and cut into four broad pieces, one for the front, the other for the back, the two others for the sides of the joint. Lastly, the whole is secured by means of a calico bandage, which is put on very gently, and rather for the purpose of securing the plaster, and giving greater thickness and security to the whole, than for the purpose of compressing the joint. This is an important point, as otherwise an application which almost invariably affords security and ease, may occasion pain, with all its attendant mischief. In some cases, in which the skin is thick and indolent, sufficient irritation will scai’cely be excited by the above applications, and this may be promoted by rubbing on a small quantity of tartar emetic ointment previously to the applica- tion of the cerate. This, however, is rarely necessary. In some cases, also, it is desirable more effectually to pre- vent the motion of the limb, particularly in children. This may be done, by applying on each side of the joint, externally to the plasters, a piece of pasteboard,' softened by soaking in water, and cut into the length, breadth, and form of splints. These being soft, will accommodate themselves to the figure of the joint, and, when dry, effectually preclude all motion. I think that this form of splint is infinitely preferable to those that are made of wood. It affords a very firm support to the limb, and at the same time counteracts the contracting effort of the muscles in as great a degree as can be effected without exciting inflammation. I have met with cases, in which the diseased surfaces have been so forcibly compressed by means of wooden splints, as to excite inflammation, and