Observations on the nature and treatment of fractures of the upper third of the thigh-bone, and of fractures of long standing.

  • Amesbury, Joseph, 1795-1864.
Date:
1829
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on the nature and treatment of fractures of the upper third of the thigh-bone, and of fractures of long standing. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

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    cervix at the breach of continuity, from which it passes to the pelvic portion of the bone, and is then received by the acetabulum. Here we see that, when there is a solution of continuity in the neck of the bone and the limb is bent upon the pelvis, the principal part of the weight of the limb is thrown upon the periosteum and reflect- ed membrane, before it reaches the acetabulum. These coverings are, therefore, put upon the stretch, and consequently pain is experienced by the patient, if the limb be strongly bent upon the pelvis. Again, when a fracture exists in the neck of the bone, without any considerable lace- ration of the close coverings, it acts upon these coverings with the advantage of a long lever; and, unless great care be taken, they are in dan- ger of being completely divided. It is worthy of remark, that this stretching effect, experi- enced by the periosteum and reflected mem- brane, is produced quicker when the limb is bent upon the pelvis while it is inverted and ad- ducted, than when it is everted and abducted. The reason of this is evident. In bending the iimb, so as to make it form with the body an acute angle, it meets resistance quicker, or by moving through a smaller space in the first instance than in the second, because the ujjpcr and anterior part of the acetabulum forms a