But, in this case, it is useless to accumulate artificial forces, where natural ones are sufficient, and where the operator may, with his hands, effect the reduction the more easily, as he can with more accuracy vary the direction of his movements.
49. Thus Desault oftentimes employed a process which was attended with great success, and which, like some of the preceding, ought to be referred to impulsion. The patient being seated on a chair of a moderate height, he took hold of the hand of the affected side, placed it between his knees, and carried it downward and backward, for the purpose of making extension, and disengaging the head of the bone; while an assistant held the trunk with a view to counter-extension, which was sometimes effected to a sufficient degree, by the weight of the body and the efforts of the patient. At the same time the hands of the surgeon, applied to the arm, in such a manner that the fingers of each were in contact with the hollow of the arm-pit, and the thumbs with the external part of the arm, drew upwards and a little outwards the head of the humerus, which in common returned with ease into its natural cavity.
50. Petit mentions this process, not such as it is here described, but complicated with the use of a napkin passed under the arm-pit of the patient, and round the neck of the surgeon, who, by raising his head, drew the displaced extremity upwards. This additional mean, always unnecessary, and not judiciously constructed, is generally ineffectual, because, with it, the operator cannot at pleasure vary his movements. The hands alone are always sufficient, and a vast number of examples attest the efficacy of this method, when employed after the manner of Desault.
CASE VI. Nicholas Juan fell on his side, his arm being separated from his body, as he was crossing, in January 1790, the place Notre-Dame, opposite to the Hotel-Dieu. An acute pain was immediately experienced; a protuberance appeared suddenly under the arm-pit; and under the acromion a depression equally sudden. He was lifted up, and carried straight to the Hospital, where Desault was just beginning a clinical lecture. The luxation being manifested by these appearances, was immediately reduced by the foregoing means. A few days rest were enjoined on the patient, but, on the same evening, he proceeded on his way, blaming himself, for having lost half of his day’s journey.