The Thigh. 335 



hence, should it be found that the top of the trochanter is 

 above or below this line, it would then indicate that the 

 great trochanter is not in its normal situation. Bryant's 

 triangle is mapped out as follows, viz. : Drop a vertical line 

 from the anterior superior spine to the level of the surface 

 on which the patient lies. Draw a second line from the 

 top of the trochanter upwards, so as to meet this vertical 

 line at a right angle, and then, for the remaining side of 

 the triangle, join the anterior superior spine to the top of 

 the trochanter by a third line. The first and second lines, 

 in a normal limb, are of equal length. This triangle is 

 utilized, by comparing the distance from the top of the tro- 

 chanter to the vertical line on the injured side, with the 

 similar line on the sound side. Another symptom is 

 eversion of the foot. This may be due to the greater loss 

 of substance of the posterior than of the anterior wall of 

 the neck, or to the natural inclination outwards of the foot 

 and leg, or to the action of the external rotators. Should 

 the foot be inverted, in all likelihood there is impaction of 

 the fragments present, which rotates the limb inwards. 

 In extracapsular fracture, the anatomical considerations 

 above dealt with, have nearly the same bearing as in intra- 

 capsular fracture. Lastly, it must not be forgotten that 

 a fracture of the neck may be partly intra. and partly ex- 

 trascapular, since, as already mentioned, the capsule is 

 attached about one-half or three-quarters of an inch from 

 the posterior intertrochanteric line, and, therefore, does 

 not cover the whole of the neck, posteriorly. Bony union 

 may, but very rarely does, occur in intracapsular fracture, 

 chiefly on account of the deficient amount of blood sup- 

 plied to the head of the bone when the fragments are separ- 

 ated, since the circulation of this part of the bone is car- 

 ried on by means of a branch of the obturator passing 

 down the ligamentum teres to the head. It is true there 



