Fractures Being a Monograph On Gun Shot Fractures of the Extremities

greatly mismanaged) part, namely, the transportation of the wounded man to the dressing station and thence on toward the rear. The question of transportation, so far as distance and stages are concerned, depends largely upon the exigencies of the military situation; but it has been amply proved during this war that the less the transportation the better for a fracture. In every case traction should be applied to the limbs in order to avoid laceration of muscles, vessels and nerves by the sharp fragments, and to prevent over-riding and stripping of the periosteum. If traction be efficiently applied harmful angulation at the site of fracture cannot occur. For the treatment of fractures during transport splints and apparatus must be light and non-cumbersome, for otherwise they cannot be taken to the advanced posts. Moreover, they should be of such a nature that they may be easily and quickly applied and not interfere with the dressing of wounds. They should be de- signed to produce reduction and maintain alignment of the bone fragments; treatment may then be continued with the same apparatus. It is difficult, however, to find an apparatus combining all these desiderata, and usually another is substituted at the hospital in which the treatment is carried out. The various splints will be described under the headings for each fracture. OPERATIVE TREATMENT Primary operations: No operation should be performed until the wounded reach a place where ...