t, the
patient's diet should be the same as usual. Dislocations may be reduced
a week, or even a fortnight, after they have taken place. As, therefore,
although the sooner a bone is reduced the better, there is no very great
emergency, and as the most serious consequences may follow improper or
too violent treatment, it is always better for people in these cases to
do too little than too much; inasmuch as the good which has not yet may
still be done, whereas the evil that _has_ been done cannot so easily be
undone.

2615. FRACTURES OF BONES.--_Symptoms_. 1. Deformity of the part. 2.
Unnatural looseness. 3. A grating sound when the two ends of the broken
bone are rubbed together. 4. Loss of natural motion and power. In some
cases there is also shortening of the limb.--Fracture takes place from
several causes, as a fall, a blow, a squeeze, and sometimes from the
violent action of muscles.--_Treatment_. In cases where a surgeon cannot
be procured immediately after the accident, the following general rules
are offered for the reader's guidance:--The broken limb should be placed
and kept as nearly as possible in its natural position. This is to be
done by first pulling the two portions of the bone in opposite
directions, until the limb becomes as long as the opposite one, and then
by applying a splint, and binding it to the part by means of a roller.
When there is no deformity, the pulling is of course unnecessary. If
there is much swelling about the broken part, a cold lotion is to be
applied. This lotion (_which we will call Lotion No. 1_) may be thus
made:--Mix a dessert-spoonful of Goulard's extract and two
tablespoonfuls of vinegar in a pint of water. When the leg or arm is
broken, always, if possible, get it to the same length and form as the
opposite limb. The broken part should be kept perfectly quiet. When a
broken limb is deformed, and a particular muscle is on the stretch,
place the limb in such a position as will relax it. This will in most
cases cure the deformity. Brandy-and-water, or sal-volatile and water,
are to be given when the patient is faint. Surgical aid should, of
course, be procured as soon as possible.

2616. JOINTS, INJURIES TO.--All kinds of injuries to joints, of whatever
description, require particular attention, in consequence of the violent
inflammations which are so liable to take place in these parts of the
body, and which do so much mischief in a little time. The joint injured
should alwa