Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1872-02-06

y 49, $500 ~ >~'~~01
and the leg placed in its Natural posi-
ton, without any trouble or severe
pain to the patient The screw was
used in this case, ms have successfully
used il in great many other cases
during the last twelve years, for the
purpose Of extending the limb to its
natural length, in order to effect u speedy
union.
In turning this terrible screw, of
which Enquirer makes such heart
rending complaint, l did but do what
every surgeon will testify must be done
stretch the muscles Tor cords) Of the
broken leg to their natural length,
maintain them there, and keep the
ends of the broken bone neatly togeth-
err Enquirer" certainly will not
question that Mr.. DAVIS legs were
made by God, of equal length. Ac-
curate measurements of each leg were
taken and compared srsry day, and at
no time ,cas the injured leg a particle
longer than the sound one. If it were
not for some such apparatus for keeping
the muscles extended, their Natural con-
traction would keep the bones forever
displaced, and severe lameness and de-
formity be the result.
In regard to the union of bones,
however successfully treated, whether
the ends are in close contact, widely
separated, or overlapped, the union is
formed by new bone, which is never af-
fected short of several months. Dur
ing the first five or six weeks nature
surrounds the break with what is call
cd temporary, or provisional callus.
"The temporary callus is, fgurative-
ly speaking, natures splint, or the means
which she employs to support the frac-
tured bone until the continuity of the
fragments is re-established, by the de-
post, and organization of osseous mat
ter between their extremities. "-Gross.
Mr.. Daw being poor, laboring man,
in daily need of the best use of his
limbs, used all the skill and expert
ence of which l was master, to bring
about speedy recovery, and as near
perfect restoration of the limb as
possible, and an no point did neglect
or abuse him.
In regard to the severe pain which
this poor man experienced, it is diff
cnlt to assign any one particular cause.
"Pain rises in degree from the slight
est change in the normal sensibility of
a part, to the most excruciating agony,
according to the nature of the affected
structure, and the intensity of the
morbid action. Doubtless idiosy Grassy
also exerts an important influence, for,
it is we'll known that what causes pain
in one individual, occasions little, if
any, in another. Most persons bear
the application of blister we'll, but /
have seen some in whom the remedy,
although retained only for few hours,
was productive of the most exquisite
Torment. Such result can only be
explained on the assumption of an
idiosyncrasy, or difference in the nero
oss organization Of our patients. The
same remark is true in regard to the
effects of an injury."-GrOss.
With the exception Of extreme pain,
(which ] did everything in my power
to alleviate,) during the first three
weeks tbs progress of the treatment
was in every way satisfactory, there
being no swelling after the first twen-
ty-four hours. The bandages were
frequently removed, and the extension
taken off from the limb, but it made
no difference in the pain which Mr.. d.
suffered-H scas the same whether they
xers off or on. At The end of three
weeks, union of the bone being now
effected and, in consideration of slight
abrasions of the skin, on the foot and
leg. l entirely removed the bandages
and splint, and supported the leg upon
pillows. In a few days afterwards
rapid and extreme swelling of the leg
commenced, which was ushered in by
fever. A popularity Of the pulse up
on this occasion led mo TO make min
ute examination of his heart and ed-
ema, or dropsy being frequent sequel
Of organic disease Of the heart, I con-
cluded at once from his symptoms such
was now his condition. Enquirer
says I'VE were not aware that Mr.. D.
was suffering from heart disease, OF
that he ever, in any period of his life
had SO suffered all Of which may be
true no injurious effects Of this latent
disease showing themselves, till the
symtem was Frustrated by confinement
and suffering.
"For it has been shown by
multiplied experience, that there