ON SPLINTS. 
\ 
articulating surface of the inferior extremity of the radius: if 
py of them are displaced, it is that of the os scaphoides Va) 
The weight having passed on to the inferior row of bones by 
the oblique surfaces of the posterior row, that of the wedge¬ 
like shape of the os lumare {b) pressing between the os mao-- 
num (c) and os unciforme (ri), from this bone forming the centr'e, 
or neaily so, of the joint, I conjecture that it must receive a great 
share of the weight, from which these two bones underneath 
will, by the opposition of another wedge, formed by the superior 
head of the large metacarpus (e), be forcibly compressed, and 
therefore recede in both directions. 
A front view of the 
right knee. 
An inside view of the 
right knee. 
Having examined the various surfaces, it will be perceived that 
the ^veight is transmitted most anteriorly, arising principally 
from the narrowness of the oblique surfaces of the superior arti¬ 
culations. 
To prevent the possibility of the knee being thrown back, there 
is a strong complex ligament, arising from the radius (f) at its 
inferior and posterior extremity, which also inserts itself into all 
the bones of the carpus posteriorly, and, lastly, into the head 
of the large metacarpus. 
This ligament clearly shews, when in action, what I have 
asserted—that the posterior parts of the articulations of the car¬ 
pus tend to separate, instead of approximate, as on a first view 
we might suppose. 
