132. Provided the mode of treatment here laid down be faithfully pursued, the affection is seldom accompanied by those numerous accidents, of which so much has been said. The callus is formed in the usual manner: and, on some occasions, where the patients have died at the Hotel-Dieu, in consequence of some affection not connected with the fracture, the two condyls have been found perfectly united together and to the body of the bone. An instance of this kind is recorded in the Journal of Surgery. 133. Let us, in the mean time, not speak too favourably of that, respecting which the ancients were accustomed to speak too unfavourably. Even the practice of Desault would expose our error. Sometimes the most assiduous attention, and the most careful application of the apparatus, have not been sufficient to prevent abscesses around the knee, and an anchylosis of the joint. Desault related a case where even a caries of the articulating surfaces occurred. But some extraneous circumstances appeared to have an influence in these instances: and it may be laid down as a general rule, that fractures of the lower extremity of the os femoris, require the same treatment with fractures of its other parts. [Illustration: _Plate 2._ _Tanner, Sc._] EXPLANATION OF THE SECOND PLATE.[30] [30] For an account of an improvement of the splint, represented in this plate, projected by Dr. Physick, and now used in the Pennsylvania hospital, see Article II. of the Appendix. TRANS. This figure represents the apparatus for permanent extension, employed by Desault in oblique fractures of the os femoris. AA. The external splint, with a notch and a mortise in it at the lower end to fix the inferior extending roller. BB. A bandage passing round the body, intended to secure this splint against the pelvis. CC. The anterior splint, reaching only to the knee. d d d d. The anterior bolster, extending along the whole limb, and secured by pieces of strong tape. EE. A portion of the bandage of strips, seen between the anterior and the external lateral bolsters. FF. The junk-cloth intended to be folded round the two lateral splints. g g. The superior extending roller, passing round the end of the external splint, and fixed underneath on the tuberosity of the ischium. H. The sub-femoral roller or strap, intended to prevent the bandage BB, which passes round the body, from slipping upwards. K k. A roller usually passed round the foot, to prevent it from turning. L. The inferior extending roller, fixed in the mortise and the notch of the external splint. THOUGHTS ON LUXATIONS OF THE OS FEMORIS, UPWARD AND FORWARD.