On Modern Methods of Treating Fractures.

Abstract

In this small volume the author tries to choose that which he considers best in the modern developments of the treatment of fractures, and substantiates it wherever possible by extensive experimental work. He assails separately the principles of the "classical school," which aims at setting thebone, prolonged immobilization and fixation of the neighboring joints, leaving the soft parts to take care of themselves. In their stead he advocates the intelligent employment of the modified methods of Bardenhauer on continuous extension of Lucas-Championnière on early massage and motion, and of Lane on open operation. Causes for bad results in the various types of fractures treated by different methods are discussed. A special chapter is devoted to the various types of external extension appliances, as Buck's extension, Bardenhauer's extension methods, the Balkan splint, Hodgen's splint, and the crutch splint of Borchgrevink for fractures of the humerus. Mechanical modifications of these external methods