[ se ] 
his fide with the broken leg undermoft, the knee 
bent, and the thigh drawn lip; inllead of laying him 
on his back with the injured limb extended. 
This pofture is much more comfortable and con- 
venient (rendering it lefs troubled) me for the patient 
to eafe himfelf, or be moved by others) and removes 
the foot and toes out of the way of being hurt by the 
weight of the bed-cloaths, fo as to make a f rad ure- box 
or cradle unneceffary. 
If the fi •adure be compound, the wound generally 
heals by the firft intention ; the great impediment 
(irritation) being prevented, of which I can produce 
many indances. Add to this, that the leg may be 
taken up with the whole apparatus, and the knee 
joint gently moved, as olten as neceftary, to prevent 
that ftiffnefs, which always fucceeds a cafe of this 
kind, and is attended with much pain and incon- 
venience, a long time after the leg is, otherwife, well. 
I he patient may alfo be taken out of bed frequently, 
without pain or danger, if not very heavy or unweildy. 
1 he under fplint makes a lafe and fecure bed for 
the leg, whilft the upper part is dre fling (if a compound 
fradure) ; and the leg may, by a fteady hand, be 
fupported alfo againft the upper fplint, and put into 
any pofture that may be necelfary to drels a lore on 
the fibula, or under part. 
I do not always remove the fhoe and docking-foot ; 
as well, becaufe they ferve to keep the part in perfpi- 
ration, as, that the fhoe adds deadinefs to the limb, 
by the connedion it may have to the inferior part of 
the indrument. Both the fplints are, defignedly, 
made narrow, to leave room for examination of the 
parts afFeded ; left any undue preflure fhould 
occafion 
