The mechanics, mechanical anatomy, and mechanical distortions of the bony structure of the human foot : being a synopsis of a demonstration given before the medical schools and societies in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia / by J.C. Plumer.

  • Plumer, John C.
Date:
[1862?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The mechanics, mechanical anatomy, and mechanical distortions of the bony structure of the human foot : being a synopsis of a demonstration given before the medical schools and societies in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia / by J.C. Plumer. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    divided; the isolated portion is then laid hold of hy dissecting forceps, or small, flat-mouthed pliers, and pulled away by the root. This should Lc performed as quickly as possible, for the operation, though trifling, is atten 1- ed with most acute pain; it is quite effectual, the relief is great, and al- most immediate. The nail may also be removed by scraping and paring; but this method is not so effectual as the preceding, and almost equally painful. Afterwards the best application to the ulcerated surface, as to other irritable sores, is the nitrate of silver, either used solid and followed by poultice, or employed in the form of lotion. The remedy is almost spe- cific ; very few cases prove obstinate under it. Sometimes it may be of advantage to alternate it with black wash. In protracted and unyielding cases, removal of the whole matrix of the nail has been proposed; the dis- section is painful and tedious, and its efficacy doubtful. When the sore is of a weak character, discharging glairy secretion, studded with soft flabby granulations, connected with unsoundness of the neighboring cellular tis- sue, surrounded by undermined integument, and by considerable boggy, soft swelling, free application of the caustic potash is highly leneficial. When the bone is denuded, and involved in ulceration, the phalanx should be amputated. When the extremity of the metatarsal bone of the great toe is large, and consequently the seat of pressure, a bursal formation is produced in the soft parts covering it; this from increase of pressure, or other irritation, may inflame — forming the painful and troublesome disease termed Bunion. Sometimes unhealthy abscess occurs, with thickening, infiltration, and condensation of the surrounding cellular tissue; in such cases incision and poultice are required, and occasionally it is necessary to destroy the un- sound cellular tissue and the degenerated cyst by free application of the caustic potash.' (Figs. 4 and C. Also Figs. 1 and 4, part 2d). A TREATISE ON DISLOCATIONS AND FRACTURES OF THE JOINTS. BY SIR ASTLEY COOPKK, BART., F. R. S., Sergeant-Surgeon to the King, etc. 1851. Dislocation from Contraction of the Tendor. — A toe is some- times gradually thrown out of its natural direction, by a contraction of the extensor tendor and theca; and the first and second phalanges are conse- quently darwn up and projected against the shoe, so as to prevent the patient from being able to take his usual exercise. [See Fig. 3.] I have frequently seen young ladies subject to this inconvenience in the toe, and attribute it to the tightness of their shoes; it appears an extremely harsh measure on the part of the surgeon, to amputate a toe under such circumstances; yet it is sometimes absolutely necessary, as the contraction deprives the person of exercise, and of many of the enjoyments of life. In the first person I saw with this state of tne toe, I refused to amputate, fear- ful of tetanus bemg produced by the operation; but the lady went to another