Civil malpractice : a treatise on surgical jurisprudence : with chapters on skill in diagnosis and treatment, prognosis in fractures, and on negligence / by Milo A. McClelland.

McClelland, M. A.

Date:: 1877

Credit: Civil malpractice : a treatise on surgical jurisprudence : with chapters on skill in diagnosis and treatment, prognosis in fractures, and on negligence / by Milo A. McClelland. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, Harvard Medical School.

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$remove dressing himself, and rub arm with stimulating em- brocations, also exercise his arm, work his elbow and hand every day. From eighth to tenth day of treatment I made motion to prevent anchylosis, or stiffening of joints. Mr. R. returned splints during sixth week, from which time con- sidered him dismissed. Told him to exercise arm gently, and that he would not be able to work for several months. Shortly after this he came to my office and said he had been at work at the bench shoving a jack-plane, and said his arm began to pain him. He showed me how he used his hands, — left hand on plane and the other shoving it. I told him he had gone to work too soon at severe work ; he must work it gently. I do not think I neglected anything. I believe the treatment Avas correct, and the result better than I promised him it would be. Cross-examined. • When called, went immediately. Kept some notes of case as it progressed. On the 14t]i day thought it improper to interfere with the arm. On 21st day, inflammation, heat of weather, and such slight increase of depression, did not feel warranted in making a refracture. Think he would have lost arm, may be his life. Would not expect such a depression in simple fracture. Dr. Dunning testified : Am a graduate ; practised twenty years. Judging from present condition there is fracture of radius, lower third, very slight depression ; dislocation of head of radius, and fracture of external condyle of humerus, and partial displacement of ulna. There are cases of simple fracture where bones fall into interosseous space, and where it cannot be prevented. In many cases it is most difficult to hold radius in proper position. Its being out of place is no evidence that it was not first properly set. Heard Dr. Ward- ner's testimony. His treatment was in accordance with ap- proved surgery. Proper to place arm so as to bring fracture in as near apposition as j)ossible. Pistol splint ought to be used. No better means to use. Cross-examined. Heard plaintiff's testimony, as to dressing. It was proper. I do not make promises in fract-$