BOTANIC PHYSICIAN. 
r g with what ease the fractured end of the bone may be placed 
in its situation. The cause of resistance is thus almost entirely re- 
wee oe in replacing the bones, but in keeping them in 
place, we most commonly fail. In transverse fractures, this is easy, 
__ as the parts support each other; but to prevent any risk from sud- 
den exertions the parts should be as firmly secured with splints and 
_ bandages, as is consistent with free circulation. us 
___ For the purpose of retaining the bones in their place, two splints 
_ are necessary ; one to reach from the top of the hip joint to a little 
below the knee, and of a breadth sufficient to cover at least one half 
__ ofthe thigh; the other to reach from the groin to a little below the 
~ knee, and wide enough to cover about one third of the thigh. 
The longest of these, covered with soft flannel, and laid upon a 
tailed bandage, is to be placed upon a thin pillow nearly as 
0 >2e are ws z = ee are accurately set, the pillow, 
he bandage and splint above it, ought to be placed so that the 
na ee from the hip joint, along the outside of the thigh, to 
cnee. The relaxed posture of the leg should be continually 
preserved, when placed in the position where it is to remain. The 
‘short splint must then be Jaid along the inside of the thigh, from 
the groin to the knee, where the twelye-tailed, or other bandage, 
_-__ previously placed beneath the other splint, must be applied with 
ss oo ana as to make an equal pressure over the whole thigh. ae 
~The limb should be properly bolstered up ina bent position. TH 
the bed clothes are too heavy, they should be kept up with hoops, 
(or the like. All involuntary startings should be guarded against, a3 
muc 96 pomsible, When no untoward symptoms occur, the limb 
light be left in this situation till the cure is. complete ; but lest the 
bones should by accident be displaced, and especially if the limb — 
should swell and become painful, the bandage should occasionally 
«Oe undone, and the parts examined. When no interruption occurs, 
_ the cure isin general complete in the course of six weeks ; but all 
it exertion should be avoided till the eighth or tenth week. ” 
FRACTURES OF THE KNEE-PAN, 
Fractures of the knee-pan, unless well managed, are apt to ter- 
minate in a stiff joint: This may sometimes proceed, however, from 
_ keeping the leg too long in an extended and immoveable posture. | 
In the treatment of fractures of this bone, in whatover direction 
they run, the leg should be extended, in order to relax the only mus-— 
cles with which it is connected. - This being done, a Jong firm splint 
of timber, thickly covered with soft wool or flannel, should be placed — 
beneath the leg and thigh, from one extremity to the other ; and to — 
this let the limb be secured with a strap above and below the knee. — 
The different parts of the fractured bone are now to be brought 
as near together as possible with the hand; but no bandage is 
yet to be applied. The first object is to prevent inflammation, 
which may be done, as before directed. "This being done, if th 
parts appear to be nearly or quite in their place, they ought 
not to be disturbed. The joint may be covered with some co 
ing application, by which it will be kept soft and easy. But 
