A description of three instruments for the treatment of fractures of the lower jaw, fractures of the patella, and for tying uterine polypi / [Edward Francis Lonsdale].

  • Lonsdale, Edward F. (Edward Francis), -1857.
Date:
1840
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A description of three instruments for the treatment of fractures of the lower jaw, fractures of the patella, and for tying uterine polypi / [Edward Francis Lonsdale]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    18/42 (page 4)
    Figure 3 Shews the instrument adapted to the jaw, and the manner in which the bandage is fastened to the top of the head, and the back of the neck, to prevent the instrument falling forwards. APPLICATION OF THE INSTRUMENT. Supposing the fracture to be at the symphysis of the lower jaw, and the portions of bone having been brought into proper apposition, the grooved plate, b, is to be fitted on to the teeth, so as to include the two fractured portions. The chin piece, a, (having been padded with lint) is then to be placed beneath the base of the jaw, and pushed upwards on the slide, c, as far as it will go, taking care that the plate, b, keeps its place on the teeth. The screw, d, is then to be turned, so as to fix the rod, e, when of course the chin piece, a, will also be fixed. The two portions of bone are now confined between two parallel pressures; the one, b, pressing on the teeth, the other, a, beneath the base of the jaw ; and will continue to keep them so, as long as the screw, d, remains fixed. If there be any disposition for the two portions of bone to fall asunder, lateral pressure may be required ; the two side plates, f f, may then be employed; they are made to act against the side of the jaw, by turning the screws, g g. These plates should have a pad of lint placed upon them. They admit of being brought nearer to the angle, or symphysis of the bone, as may be required, by means of the pivot on which they turn, and which is represented at Fig. 2 in the plate. They are fixed by means of a small screw which turns against them. The following appear to me to be the advantages gained by the above instrument. In the first place, it admits of being applied with much greater facility than the ordinary method of using the bandages and pieces of cork; and when once applied, there is no fear of future displacement. 2ndly. The instrument is connected with the lower jaw alone, so that the patient is no longer inconvenienced by the necessity of keeping the jaws closed one against the other. 3rdly. The motion of the lower jaw is not impeded by the instrument, so that the patient can take his food with facility,