. The principles and practice of modern surgery. egastrocnemius muscles are ruptured, theknee may be kept bent by a string passingfrom the heal of the slipper to a bandageround the thigh. [See cut.] For rupturesof the extensors of the thigh, the limb mustbe placed in the same position as in frac-ture of the patella. If the biceps is rup-tured the elbow must be kept bent to itsutmost;—if the tendons about the wrist orfingers, the forearm must be confined by asplint. After three or four w^eeks of thisrest, the surgeon may use passive motion;that is, may bend and extend the joints ofthe injured l
. The principles and practice of modern surgery. egastrocnemius muscles are ruptured, theknee may be kept bent by a string passingfrom the heal of the slipper to a bandageround the thigh. [See cut.] For rupturesof the extensors of the thigh, the limb mustbe placed in the same position as in frac-ture of the patella. If the biceps is rup-tured the elbow must be kept bent to itsutmost;—if the tendons about the wrist orfingers, the forearm must be confined by asplint. After three or four w^eeks of thisrest, the surgeon may use passive motion;that is, may bend and extend the joints ofthe injured limb with his hands severaltimes successively. But the patient mustbe cautious in using the muscles for a longtime; and (if it be the tendo-achillis) mustwalk with a high-heeled shoe for two orthree months; so that the recent callus maynot be stretched and lengthened, whichwould cause permanent weakness. III. Strains.—A strain signifies a violent stretching of tendinous orligamentous parts, with or without rupture of some of their fibres. It. * Listons Practical Surgery, 3d ed. A case of ruptured rectus femoris is related in theMed. Gaz., Oct. 10th, 1841. It did not unite. MUSCLES, TENDONS, AND TUMORS. 211 produces instant severe pain, often attended with faintness; and greattumefaction and ecchymosis; with subsequent weakness and the part is not kept at rest, or if the knee or some other large joint isaffected, there will be great pain, inflammation, and fever, that may leadto serious or even fatal results. Treatment.—The most essential measure is perfect rest; and to ensurethis, if the case is at all serious, the part must be confined by a paste-board splint. Warm fomentations generally give more relief than coldlotions; but in this, as in similar cases, the patients feelings are thesafest criterion. If inflammation runs high, or a large joint is affected,leeches, or bleeding, and general antiphlogistic measures must be the indications a
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