BROKEN LIMBS.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 313, 17 April 1878, Page 4

BROKEN LIMBS.

It has usually been understood that whenever a case of compound fracture ot a limb occurred a medical man Avould have little difficulty in ascertaining it ay as broken. There appear to be exceptions to the rule,- however, A week or so ago, a gentleman in the district Avas unfortunate enough to break his leg by a fall from a horse. The left leg had been broken some years ago and not having been properly set was slightly crooked, besides being ornamented AA’ith bony protuberances. When the last accident occurred a medical man \A T as at once sent for, who found the patient lying on a bed with his left leg exposed. Wcizing hold of the limb the doctor commenced manipulation to investigate the extent of damage, muttering the while “ li’m—bad case—compound fracture—never mind—soon set it right —get you avcll quick.” The patient enjoyed the joke till the doctor AA r as about to encase the serviceable limb in splints, when lie mildly explained that as the other leg was broken he would probably find the fracture there. Another experience of these medico was likely to terminate in a case of lock-jaAv in ay Inch he himself would be the patient. A couple of men Avero quarrelling at a certain hotel Avhen one of them tvas struck by the other on the jaw. The individual struck Avent into a fit, and closed his jaAVS tightly. The doctor who tvas standing by imagined the man’s jaw ay as broken, and a feeling of professional curiosity prompted him to insert Jus thumb between the patient’s teeth, and a fresh convulsion taking place at that exact moment, the physician was seen writhing in anguish and hopping round in a circle of which the patient formed the centre. He Avas eventually liberated by means of a AA'alking stick. Avith Avhich the man’s jaws' were prized' open.—Exchange.