Instructions concerning a smash in his skull under the skin of his head .

Examination

If thou examinest a man having a smash of his skull, under the skin of his head , while there is nothing at all upon it1 , thou shouldst palpate his wound. Shouldst thou find that there is a swelling protruding on the outside of that smash which is in his skull , while his eye is askew because of it, on the side of him having that injury which is in his skull ; (and) he walks shuffling with his sole2 . on the side of him having that injury which is in his skull3 .

Diagnosis

Thou shouldst account him one whom something entering from outside 4 has smitten, as one who does not release the head of his shoulder fork and one who does not fall with his nails in the middle of his palm5 ; while he discharges blood from both his nostrils (and) from both his ears, (and) he suffers in his neck . An ailment not to be treated .

Treatment

His treatment is sitting , until he gains color , (and) until thou knowest he has reached the decisive point .

Second examination

Now as soon as thou findest that smash which is in his skull like those corrugations which form on molten cooper , (and) something therein throbbing and fluttering under thy fingers like the weak place of an infant’s crown before it knits together -- when it has happened there is no throbbing and fluttering under thy fingers , until the brain of his (the patent’s) skull is rent open -- (and) he discharges blood from both his nostrils and both his ears , ()and) he suffers with stiffness in his neck .

Second diagnosis

Thou shouldst say : "An ailment not to be treated."

1 "A smash in his skull under the skin of his head , there being no wound at all upon it," it means a smash of the shell of his skull, the flesh of his head being uninjured.

2 "He walks shuffling with his sole." he (the surgeon) is speaking about his walking with his sole dragging , so that it is not easy for him to walk , when it (the sole) is feeble and turned over , while the tips of his toes are contracted to the ball of his sole and they (the toes) walk fumbling the ground . He (the surgeon) says : "He shuffles," concerning it.

3 "One whom something entering from outside has smitten on the side of him having this injury" means one whom something entering from outside presses , on the side of him having this injury.

4 "Something entering from outside," means the breath of an outside god or death ; not the intrusion of something which his flesh engenders .

5 "One who does not release the head of his shoulderfork and who does not fall with his nails in the middle of his palm ," means that he says : "One to whom the head of his shoulder-fork is not given , and one who does not fall with his nails in the middle of his palm."