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Dr. W. Macewen. 



[May 19, 



It is highly necessary to ask this question, as Oilier admits that though 

 successful in his osseous transplants among rabbits, he did not succeed 

 in transplanting portions of bones in dogs. 



If the first two questions be answered affirmatively, the third 

 follows : — though the possibility of bone showing indications of growth 

 after transplantation be admitted as a physiological fact, can it furnish 

 any practical result ? 



Facts tending to show the probability of Transplanted Bone Living. 



IJacts presented by my surgical observations, especially of compound 

 fractures treated an tis optically, go far to support the belief that trans- 

 planted bone is capable of living and growing. Stated briefly they 

 are as follows : — 



Portions of completely detached bone covered with periosteum, after 

 being washed with carbolised solutions, have been replaced, and they 

 have lived, thrown out callus, and increased in thickness, uniting at 

 the same time firmly to the neighbouring bone. 



A portion of bone, destitute of periosteum and completely detached 

 from the soft tissues, has been removed and placed at a short distance 

 from its original site, where it has adhered, united with the neigh- 

 bouring bone, and apparently grown thicker in bulk. 



The cylindrical extremity of a fractured humerus for over 2 inches 

 was completely stripped of periosteum, round its whole circumference ;. 

 the soft tissues which covered it in were reduced to pulp, yet this 

 portion of bone, entirely destitute of periosteum, lived and united firmly 

 with the shaft. 



Portions of fingers and toes, containing their bones, have reunited 

 after having been completely detached, and have grown into useful 

 members. 



The three phalanges of a finger were entirely stripped of the soft 

 tissues and vascular supply ; the bones with their ligament and tendons 

 projected as if in an anatomical specimen. The soft parts were put 

 over it like a glove, and both lived and grew. 



These were at least sufficient to cause one to look hopefully on 

 transplantation of bones. 



Consideration of best Method of Transplantation of Bone. 



What elements of Bone are best Suited for Osseous Transplants ? — 

 In considering the suitability of the various osseous elements for 

 transplantation, it was evident that periosteum was best suited as far 

 as its vascularity was concerned ; but if it were alone taken, it was 

 equally clear that at best only a very thin osseous layer could result, a 

 layer so thin as to be totally inadequate for the formation of a bone 

 resembling the human humerus. It is admitted that the true bone- 

 forming elements of the periosteum are confined to the layer which is- 



