MEDICAL HINTS. 
219 
plaster one to two inches wide and eighteen inches long should be 
applied evenly round the side of the chest; each piece should be 
overlaid by the next piece above it for about half an inch. To secure 
rest for the affected side of the chest the strapping should not only cover 
the broken bone, but should extend to about three inches above and below 
it, and should reach well beyond the middle line both in front and behind. 
Upper Arm.—Fracture of the upper arm may be treated by the 
application of several narrow splints reaching from the armpit to the 
elbow, well padded, and supported in position by a bandage carried 
from the fingers to the armpit. Care must be taken that the splints; 
on the inner side do not chafe the folds of the armpit. The hand 
and wrist should then be supported in a sling, but the elbow must be 
allowed to hang free. 
Forearm .—Fractures of the forearm must be treated by two splints, 
each wider than the limb. The injured limb is allowed to hang down by 
the side, palm forwards. One splint reaching from the elbow to the 
finger tips is applied to the back of the limb; the other is placed on the 
front, and only reaches from the bend of the elbow to the level of the 
ball of the thumb. The splints are secured temporarily by a couple of 
slip knots. Now bend the arm to a right angle, thumb uppermost, and 
bandage securely from the tips of the fingers up to the elbow. 
Thigh .—Fractures of the thigh are serious; they require the patient 
to be kept in bed till union has been effected, and they are more 
likely to lead to shortening and permanent lameness if not very carefully 
treated, and the assistance of a skilled surgeon is urgently needed. A 
long splint is applied to the outside of the limb, reaching from the 
armpit to beyond the foot and secured above by a bandage passing round 
the body, whilst the foot and leg are firmly bandaged to it below. 
Leg .—Fractures of the leg should be treated by applying a splint on 
each side, long enough to reach from the knee to a little below the sole 
of the foot. They should be carefully applied with bandages, keeping 
the great toe in a line with the inner border of the knee-cap. When 
the accident occurs in the open air, the injured limb should be tied 
to the sound one, till the patient is brought to a place of security, the 
toes being prevented from pointing inwards. 
Loiver Jaiv .—Manipulate the parts into their normal position and 
mould a splint of gutta percha, or other material, as accurately as 
