The workes of that famous chirurgion Ambrose Parey translated out of Latin and compared with the French. by Tho: Johnson. Whereunto are added three tractates our of Adrianus Spigelius of the veines, arteries, & nerves, with large figures. Also a table of the bookes and chapters.

CHAP. VI. The uses for which Ligatures serve.

* 1.1BY that which we have formerly delivered, you may understand that Ligatures are of use to restore those things which are separated and moved forth of their places, and joyn toge∣ther those which gape; as in fractures, wounds, contusions, sinewous Ulcers, and other like affects against nature, in which the solution of continuity stands in need of the help of Bandages, for the reparation thereof.* 1.2 Besides also, by the help of Bandages these things are kept asunder or separated, which otherwise would grow together against nature; as in Burns, wherein the fingers and the hams would mutually grow together; as also the Arm-pits to the Chest, the Chin to the Breast,* 1.3 unless they be hindred by due ligation. Bandages do also conduce to refresh emaciated parts: wherefore if the right leg waste for want of nourishment, the left leg, beginning at the foot, may be conveniently rowled up even to the groin. If the right arm consume, binde the left with a strait Ligature, beginning at the hand, and ending at the arm-pit. For thus a great porti∣on of bloud from the bound-up part is sent back into the vena cava, from whence it regurgi∣tates into the almost empty vessels of the emaciated part. But I would have the sound part to be so bound, that thereby it become not painfull; for a dolorifick ligation causes a greater attractati∣on of blood and spirits, as also exercise: wherefore I would have it during that time to be at rest, and keep holy-day.* 1.4 Ligatures also conduce to the stopping of bleedings: which you may per∣ceive by this, that when you open a vein with your lancet, the blood is presently stayed, laying on a boulster and making a Ligature.* 1.5 Also Ligatures, are usefull for women presently after their de∣livery; for their womb being bound about with Ligatures, the blood wherewith their womb was too much moistened, is expelled, the strength of the expulsive faculty being by this means stirred

up to the expulsion thereof: and it also hinders the empty womb from being swoln up with wind, which otherwise would presently enter thereinto.* 1.6 This same Ligature is a help to such as are with childe, for the more easie carrying of their burden; especially those whose Childe lyes so far downwards, that lying as it were in the den of the hips, it hangs between the thighs, and so hin∣ders the free going of the mother. Therefore the woman with childe is not only eased by this binding of her womb with this Ligature, which is commonly tearmed, the Navil-ligature; but also, her childe being held up higher in her womb, she hath freer and more liberty to walk.* 1.7 Ligatures are in like sort good for revulsion and derivation: as also for holding of medicins which are laid to a part, as the neck, breast, or belly. Lastly,* 1.8 there is a triple use of Ligatures in amputation of members, as arms and legs. The first to draw and hold upwards the skin and muscles lying under it, that the operation being performed, they may, by their falling down again, cover the ends of the cut-off bones; and so by that means help forwards the agglutination and cicatrization; and when it is healed up, cause the lame member to move more freely, and with less pain; and also to perform the former actions, this, as it were, cushion or boulster of musculous flesh lying there∣under. The second is, they hinder the bleeding by pressing together the veins and arteries. The third is, they by strait binding intercept the free passage of the animal spirits, and so deprive the part which lyes thereunder of the sense of feeling, by making it, as it were, stupid or num.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The first bene∣fit of Ligatures.
• * 1.2

  The second.
• * 1.3

  The third.
• * 1.4

  The fourth.
• * 1.5

  The fifth.
• * 1.6

  The sixth.
• * 1.7

  The seventh.
• * 1.8

  The eighth, the particular use of ligatures in the amputation of members.