8. Divisions of the tendons are not in general dangerous. These organs,
being insensible in their nature, are not painful when ruptured,
as is proved both by experiments on living animals, and by the
observations of surgeons who have had such affections under their care,
more particularly of Monro, who experienced the accident in his own
person. No inflammation supervenes, and if a swelling be sometimes the
consequence, it is in general soon dispersed, leaving behind it nothing
serious.
9. Whence arose then the exaggerated fears of the ancients respecting
injuries of this kind? Doubtless from an opinion which was then
entertained, that tendons and nerves were of the same nature. Hence the
severe pains, the convulsions, and even death itself, which, according
to them, frequently happened, and was always to be apprehended, as
the consequence of injuries done to these organs. Lamotte, among the
moderns, still entertained these prejudices, when, in speaking of
affections of the tendo Achillis, he said, “So dangerous are they in
their consequences, that they can seldom be brought to a favourable
termination.”
10. Doubtless the unskilful treatment, employed by the ancients, in
cases of this kind, the use of the bloody suture without proper means
to retain the parts in a suitable situation, the abuse of irritating
remedies applied externally, the imprudent administration of oily
substances, and, still more, the motions of the patient, contributed
not a little to the production of those accidents, which no longer
occur in the practice of the moderns, since the nature and treatment
of the disease is better understood. It has been proved, by late
observations, that the division of the tendo Achillis is apt to
produce some diminution in the size of the affected leg. But this
soon disappears, nor does it, indeed, even occur, if, by a proper
application of the bandage, a speedy union of the divided part be
obtained. The patients of Desault never experienced it.
§ IV.