CHAP. XI. Of helping those that are Vari or Valgi, that is, crooke-legged or crooke-footed, inwards or outwards.
THose are said to bee Varous, whose feet or legs are bowed or crooked in∣wards. * 1.1 This default is either from the first conformation in the wombe, through the default in the mother, who hath her legs in like manner croo∣ked; or because that in the time when she is great with child, she common∣ly sits with her legs a crosse: or else after the child is born, & that, either because his legs be not well swathed, when he is laid into the cradle, or else because they bee not well placed in carrying the infant, or if he be not wel looked unto by the nurse when he learneth to goe, for the bones of infants are very tender, and almost as flexible as Waxe.
But contrariwise, those are called valgi, whose legs are crooked or bowed out-wards. * 1.2 This may come through the default of the first conformation, aswell as the other, for by both, the feet and also the knees may bee made crooked; which thing, whosoever will amend, must restore the bones into their proper and naturall place, so that in those that are varous hee must thrust the bones outwards, as though hee would make them valgous, and in those that are valgous, hee must thrust the bones inwards, as though hee would make them varous: neither is it sufficient to thrust them so, but they ought also to be retained there in their places after they are so thrust, for otherwise they being not well established, would slip back againe.
They must bee stayed in their places by applying of collers and bolsters on that side whereunto the bones doe leane and incline themselves; for the same purpose boots may be made of leather, of the thicknesse of a testone, having a slit in the for∣mer part all along the bone of the leg, and also under the sole of the foot, that being drawne together on both sides, they may be the better fitted, and sit the closer to the leg. And let this medicine following be applyed all about the leg. ℞. thuris, mastich. * 1.3 aloës, boli armeni, an. ℥i. aluminis roch. resinae pini siccae, subtilissimè pulveris. an. ʒiii. fa∣rinae volat. ℥iss. album. ovor. q. s. make thereof a medicine. You may also adde a lit∣tle turpentine, lest it should dry sooner, or more vehemently than is necessary. But you must beware, and take great heed lest that such as were of late varous or valgous should attempt or straine themselves to goe before that their joynts be confirmed, for so the bones that were lately set in their places, may slip aside againe. And more∣over,