CHAP. XXXVI. Of the Wounds of the Thighs and Legs.
* 1.1WOunds which have been received on the inside of the Thighs, have often caused sodain death, if they have come to the vein Saphena, or the great Artery, or the Nerves, the associates of these vessels. But when they are simple, there is nothing which may alter the usual manner of cure. Yet the Patient must be careful to lye in his bed: for the vulgar Italian Proverb is true: La mano al petto, la gamba al letto, [that is, The hand on the breast, and the leg on the bed.] But when they penetrate more deeply into the substance of the part, they bring horrid and fearful symptoms, as an inflammation, an abscess, from whence oft-times such aboundance of matter issues forth, that the Patient fals into an Atrophia and consumption. Wherefore such wounds and ulcers require a careful and industrious Chirurgeon, who may fitly make Incisions necessary for the corrupt parts, and callosity of the fistulous ulcer. Some Chirurgeons have been so bold as to sow together the end of the Tendons of the Ham, and of other joynts, when they have been quite cut asunder.* 1.2 But I durst never attempt it for fear of pain, convulsions, and the like horrid symptoms. For the wounds of that large Tendon which is composed in the calf of the Leg by the concourse of three muscles, and goes to the heel, I have observed that when it hath been cut with the Sword, that the wounds have been long and hard to cure; and besides, when at the last they have been healed, as soon as the Patient hath got out of his bed, and indeavoured to go, they have grown ill and broke open again. Wherefore in such like wounds let the Patient have a care, that he begin not to go, or too boldly to use his hurt leg before it be perfectly cicatrized, and the scar grown hard. Therefore that the Patient may be in more safety, I judge it altogether necessary, that he use to go with Crutches for a good while after the wound is perfectly healed up.