CHAP. XXXVI. Of the Wounds of the Thighes and Legges.
WOunds which have beene received on the inside of the Thighes, have of∣ten * 1.1 caused suddaine death, if they have come to the veine Saphena, or the great Artery, or the Nerves the associates of these vessells. But when they are simple, there is nothing which may alter the usuall manner of cure. Yet the patient must be carefull to lye in his bed: for the vulgar Italian pro∣verbe is true. La mano al petto, la gamba al letto, [that is, the hand on the breast, and the legge on the bed.] But when they penetrate more deepely into the substance of the part, they bring horrid and fearefull symptomes, as an inflammation, an ab∣scesse, from whence oft times such aboundance of matter issues forth, that the Pati∣ent falls into an Atrophia and consumption. Wherefore such wounds and ulcers re∣quire a carefull and industrious Chirurgion, who may fitly make incisions necessa∣ry for the corrupt parts, and callosity of the fistulous ulcer. Some Chirurgions have beene so bold as to sowe together the end of the Tendons of the Ham, and of other joynts, when they have beene quite cut asunder. But I durst never attempt it for feare of paine, convulsions and the like horrid symptomes. For the wounds of that large Tendon which is composed in the calfe of the Legge by the concourse of three * 1.2 muscles, and goes to the heele, I have observed that when it hath beene cut with a sword, that the wounds have beene long and hard to cure; and besides when at the last they have beene healed, as soone as the Patient hath got out of his bed, and en∣deavoured to goe, they have growne ill and broke open againe. Wherefore in such like wounds let the Patient have a care that he begin not to goe, or too boldly to use his hurt leg before it be perfectly cicatrized and the scarre growne hard. Therefore that the patient may be in more safety, I judge it altogether necessary, that he use to goe with Crutches, for a good while after the wound is perfectly healed up.