29. This truth was frequently confirmed in the experience of Desault, who had an opportunity of seeing numerous fractures of the rotula, both in the Hotel-Dieu, and in his private practice. He always observed, that, when the separation of the fragments was considerable, and the ligamento-cartilaginous substance uniting them was of some extent, standing and walking were performed with much difficulty; that the patient was exposed to frequent falls, from the want of a proper correspondence, in point of strength and motion, between the two limbs; and that, on the contrary, the less extensive the separation and the substance that filled it up were, the more free and easy were the motions of the part, which still remained, however, somewhat defective and imperfect, unless every vestige of the division was obliterated. Paul of Egina long since observed, that, when no means of reduction were employed, though the patient might walk tolerably well on a level surface, he could not, without difficulty go up an ascent. 30. From what has been said, it follows, 1st, that in the treatment of this fracture, the perfect contact of the fragments ought to be the principal object of the practitioner; 2dly, that the kinds of apparatus employed by different authors, are but ill calculated for the attainment of this end, because they fulfil but imperfectly the indications formerly laid down (18). Let us see whether or not the apparatus of Desault be any better suited to this purpose. 31. The bandage, which he employed in this case, analogous to that for fractures of the olecranon, is composed, 1st, of one splint, two inches broad, and long enough to reach from the tuberosity of the ischium, to a little above the heel; 2dly, of two rollers, five or six yards long, and nearly three inches wide; 3dly, of another single roller, with two holes about the middle of it, a little longer than the injured limb of the patient, along the fore part of which it must be extended. 32. Every thing being arranged for the application of the apparatus, 1st, One assistant secures the pelvis, in the same manner as in fractures of the lower extremities; while another keeps the leg in a state of perfect extension on the thigh, and the thigh on the pelvis. 2dly, The surgeon, then, standing by the side of the fractured limb, extends along the anterior part of the leg and thigh the roller with holes in it, having previously wet it with vegeto-mineral water, taking care to make the two openings correspond to the lateral parts of the rotula, that, by being thus better adapted to its shape, it may not be thrown into wrinkles.