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145. When a bone is broken, some days elapse before the substance that
reunites it is thrown out from the blood. In young persons, it may be
secreted during the second or third week, and in individuals advanced
in life, usually during the third and fourth week. When the bone is
uniting, during the second, third, or fourth week, the attention of a
surgeon is more needed than during the first week. At this time, the
ends of the bone should be placed together with accuracy, which
requires the careful application of proper dressing. After the bones
have united, it will take some weeks to consolidate the uniting
material and render the "callus," or union, firm. During this time,
the limb should be used with care.

_Observation._ When a bone is fractured, a surgeon is immediately
called, and the bone is "set." While the limb remains swelled and
painful, the surgeon is required to attend and keep the dressings
(bandages and splints) on. When the swelling has abated, and the pain
subsided, frequently the patient intimates to the surgeon that his
services can be dispensed with, as the "limb is doing well." This is
the most important period, as the bone is uniting, and, unless the
ends are nicely adjusted, the dressing properly applied, the person
will find, on recovery, a shortened and crooked limb. The surgeon is
then censured, when he is not blamable.

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What is one cause of rickets? What are the prevention and remedies for
this disease? 145. Does the time vary when the reuniting substance of
the bone is secreted from the blood? When is the surgeon's care most
needed? Why?

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146. It is seldom that a bone is displaced without injury to the
connecting ligaments and membranes. When these connecting bands are
lacerated, pain, swelling, and other symptoms indicating inflammation
succeed, which should be removed by proper treatment, directed by a
surgical adviser.

147. In sprains, but few, if any, of the fibres of the connecting
ligaments are lacerated; but they are unduly strained and twisted,
which occasions acute pain at the time of the injury. This is followed
by inflammation and weakness of the joints. The treatment of these
injuries is similar to that of a dislocated bone after its reduction.
The most important item in the treatment during the few first days, is
rest.

148. In persons of scrofulous constitutions, and those in whom the
system is enfeeb