CHAP. XXIII. Of a FRACTƲRE of the BONES of the HAND.
I. IT is called in Greek, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. in Latin, Fractura Ossium Metacarpii; and in English, A Fracture of the Hand; or, of the Bones of the Hand.
II. The Prognosticks. The Cure is performed without much diffi∣culty, and in no great length of time: the Consolidation of the Fracture being accomplished in the space of about sixteen or eighteen days.
III. The Cure. Two Assistants are to hold the Hand in the same manner as is directed in the former Chapter, in Setting of the Wrist-Bone: which being extended to the fractured Bone or Bones, are to be reduced to their own places by the Hand of the Artist.
IV. Then proper Catagmaticks are to be applied, such as we have directed to in the Cure of a Simple Fracture: after which, the Hand is to be bound up with proper Swaths.
V. The Swaths are to be about two Inches broad, and five or six Yards long; (because many circumvolutions strengthen the Part, tho' they are not made very strait;) and to be rowled up with one head.
VI. This Band is to be fastned to the Carpus or Wrist, with a circumvolution; from whence it is to be carried to the Metacar∣pium, over which it is to pass between the Thumb and the Forefinger.
VII. From whence it is to cross the Hand, and to form the Let∣ter X, which is to be continued with several circumvolutions, 'till all the Metacarpium is co∣vered.
VIII. Then a Bolster and Past∣board are to be laid upon the