Then I loosed all her ligatures, and perceived such a prominencie as I did former∣ly. Wherefore I ende voured againe to force in the head of the bone, as I formerly did. But as I was busied therein, I heard a little crackling, and also I considered, that there was no cavitie nor depression in the joynt, by which signes I certainly perswaded my selfe, that the bone was broken, and not dislocated. Neyther only such kinde of Fractures, but also the separation of the appendix or head of this bone from its place, may induce one to thinke it a dislocation; which thing hath some∣times deceived some heedlesse Surgeons, who have not dreamt of the divulsion or separation of the appendix from the top of the Thigh-bone, but have judged it only a dislocation. Then therefore (that I may returne to my former narration) I set the bone, and joyned the fragments together, layd thereupon splints with com∣presses, made ligations with a rowler, having two heads wrapped about the joynt, and the bodie crosse-wise, and I defended her foote with a Case, that none of the clothes might presse it. I fastened a rope to a poste, and so let it come downe into the midst of the bed, and tyed many knots thereon, for the better taking hold and lifting up her selfe; the which thing you must alwaies doe in fractures and disloca∣tions of the thigh and legge, that so your Patients may have some stay, whereby they may succour themselves with their hands, as oft as they desire to rise, or lift themselves up in their beds, or goe to stoole; as also, that they may give per∣spiration, and as it were ventilation to the loynes, buttocks, rumpe, and other parts, compressed and wearied with long lying, for want wherof they are molested with heat and paine; whence ulcers arise, which oft-times torment the Patient with such tormenting heate and paine, that he is even consumed by a fever, watchings, and want of rest. This opportunitie of raising the bodie out of the bed, is by so much the more needfull in this place, by how much the fracture is nearer the joynt: for there it is more dangerous than in the midst of the thigh, and consequently more difficult to dresse and heale, for that the part is bloodlesse, and by reason of the multitude of the nerves, tendons and ligaments, which are obnoxious to many maligne symptomes. But the Surgeon must have diligent care in this kinde of fra∣cture, and must looke often that the bone, which is set, doe not fall forth againe, which easily happens here by any light stirring of the bodie, & the like occasion, for that the thigh hath but one onely bone. Therefore, as oft as the Bandages shal be loosed, and the fracture dressed, hee shall attentively view the figure of the bone, and the magnitude of the affected part, comparing it with the sound; for the set and composed fragments of the broken bone, can scarce fall asunder, but that the one must lye upon the other. But before it be knit, the part must be extended and resto∣red to its state, that so the Patient may not halt during the residue of his life. For I have read it written in Avicen, that scarce any doe so well recover a fractured thigh, that they doe not halt thereof: therefore the Patient must be carefull, that hee move himselfe, or his bodie, as little as hee can. Many of the Ancients have set downe the time of the consolidation of this bone to bee fiftie dayes: but (as I formerly sayd) there can bee no certaine or determinate time here∣of. But in what time soever this bone shall bee knit, the Patient must not stand or goe thereon presently upon it; for that there remaines a weakenesse in the part a long time after, so that the Patients are forced to use Crutches to goe with∣all, in the meane space while they recover more strength.