A treatise on fractures, luxations, and other affections of the bones / by P.J. Desault ... wherein his opinions and practice, in such cases, are stated and exemplified ; edited by Xav. Bichat ; with plates ; translated from the French, by Charles Caldwell, M.D. ; with notes, and an appendix containing several late improvements in surgery.

  • Desault, P.-J. (Pierre-Joseph), 1738-1795.
Date:
1811
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A treatise on fractures, luxations, and other affections of the bones / by P.J. Desault ... wherein his opinions and practice, in such cases, are stated and exemplified ; edited by Xav. Bichat ; with plates ; translated from the French, by Charles Caldwell, M.D. ; with notes, and an appendix containing several late improvements in surgery. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    MEMOIR II. ON THE FRACTURE OF THE CLAVICLE. SECTION I. 1. Man enjoys an advantage which nature has be- stowed on but few of the quadrupeds, namely, a power of moving his upper extremities in every direction. The clavicle being a kind of arch placed between the breast and shoulder, forms a centre, moveable indeed but solid, for these motions, a part of which can no longer be performed, when this arch, in consequence of being broken, ceases to afford them a point of sup- port. Hence it follows, that the fracture of this bone may be said to reduce the individual who sustains it, when considered in relation to its functions, to a level with that numerous division of animals that art- destitute of clavicles. 2. Few diseases of the kind are more frequently met with than this. The natural curve of the clavicle, its situation immediately under the skin, the want of a support to its middle part, the great proportion of spongy substance which enters into its composition, the pro- jection of the shoulder exposing it to the action of ex- ternal bodies; all these circumstances concur in ren- dering the accident frequent, particularly among that class of men subject, from their occupations, to violent exertions of the upper extremities. Here then, more than in the generality of fractures, we should feel an interest in the advancement of the art of surgery; and yet, having hitherto employed in it but feeble means, our efforts have been attended with imperfect success. Hippocrates has observed, that