DISLOCATIONS.

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%* The medical treatment of fistula? in ano will depend on theircause. If they arise from costiveness, the remedies are obvious ; •if from disease of the liver, calomel and saline purges ; if fromdisease of the chest, as dropsy, it is difficult to say what medicineought to be recommended. It is of great importance, however, togive such medicines as will bring the fistula into a healthy state.With this view the balsam of copaiba may be given with advan-tage. If there be much irritation, give soda, which has great effi-cacy in diminishing the irritability of the rectum. Aromatic medi-cines should be given, especially that which used to go by the nameof Wards's Paste, having been found by experience to produce ex-cellent effects in this disease :

Take of Pepper 2 drachms,

Ellecampane andFennel seeds, of each half an ounce.

These are to be mixed up with honey, in the form of an electuary ;of which a tea-spoonful is to be taken two or three times a-day.This soon brings the fistula into a healing state ; healthy granula-tions shoot up from the surface, and the discharge instead of beingserous or bloody, consists of good pus. Calomel and saline pur-ges should be occasionally given during the use of these aromaticmedicines, with a view of promoting the sec^tions of the liver andintestines. Ed.

CHAP. lie

OF DISLOCATIONS.

When a bone is moved out of its place or articulation, so as toimpede its proper functions, it is said to be luxated or dislocated.As this often happens to persons in situations where no medicalassistance can be obtained, by which means limbs, and even livesare frequently lost, we shall endeavour to point out the method ofreducing the most common luxations, and those which require im-mediate assistance. Any person of common sense and resolution,who is present when a dislocation happens, may often be of moregervice to the patient than the most expert surgeon can after theswelling and inflammation have come on. When these are pre-sent, it is difficult to know the state of the joint, and dangerous toattempt a reduction ; and by waiting till they are gone off, themuscles become so relaxed, and the cavity filled up, that the bonecan never afterwards be retained in its place.

A recent dislocation may generally be reduced by extensionalone, which must always be greater or less according to thestrength of the muscles which move the joint, the age, robustness,and other circumstances of the patient. When the bone has beenout of its place for any considerable time, and a swelling or in-flammation has come on, it will be necessary to bleed the patient,and, after fomenting the part, to apply soft poultices with vinegarto it for some time before the reduction is attempted.

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