Ars chirurgica a compendium of the theory and practice of chirurgery in seven books ... shewing the names, causes, signs, differences, prognosticks, and various intentions of curing all kinds of chirurgick diseases ... : to which is added Pharmacopoeia chirurgica, or, The medical store, Latin and English ... / by William Salmon ...

CHAP. XXIX. Of a FRACTƲRE of the RƲMP-BONE.

I. IT is called in Greek, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. in Latin, Ossis Coccygis Fractura; and in English, A Fra∣cture of the Rump or Crupper Bone.

II. This Bone is joined by a Cartilage to the Os Sacrum, but somewhat loosly, that it may bend a little backwards; especially in Women in Travail, for the more easy passage of the Foetus.

III. It is composed of four Bones, the first of which has a small ca∣vity or hollowness, which re∣ceives the last Vertebra of the Os Sacrum.

IV. The other three Bones grow

each less than other, and are join∣ed together by Symphysis or Coa∣lition; and at the end of these, is a small Cartilaginous Sub∣stance or Gristle.

V. It is called Os Coccygis, because in its form, it resembles the Cuckow's-bill; and it bends inwards (like it) at its lower end, that it may be a stay to the Intestinum Rectum, and the Sphincter Muscle, which are joined to it.

VI. Its Bones are spongy and soft, but without Marrow, or any Process, or Hollowness; for the Medulla Spinalis descends no lower than to the bottom of the Os Sacrum.

VII. The Bone is commonly fra∣ctured by Falls, and then it sinks inwards, scarcely ever out∣wards.

VIII. The Prognosticks. Whilst recent, there is not much danger in it; but if it is neglected, it may be of very evil Consequence; and if that Part is hurt and corrup∣ted, to which the Intestinum Rectum and Sphincter Musele are joined, very evil and dangerous Symptoms may follow.

IX. The Cure. The Cure is to be ordered as that of the Os Sa∣crum in the former Chapter; but this has something peculiar to it self: for by putting your Fore∣singer into the Anus as far as the Fracture, and thrusting it hard against the fractured Bones, you may reduce them to their true situation, the other Hand fixing them in the mean while on the other side.

X. The Dressing and Bandage are the same with the former, but the Sick must be obliged to lye on one side, and keep his Bed: but if he has a mind to rise, he ought to sit on a Chair, with almost no bottom in it; yet it is best keeping in Bed during the whole time of the Cure, &c.