The bullet lies at a very slight angle with the plate, as is shown by the curved outline of its base, which condition alone would give a projection shadow somewhat shorter than the bullet. But as the shadow is actually somewhat longer than the bullet (about one-eighth inch, or one-tenth its length), the position of the bullet is some distance from the plate and most probably lies behind the tibia, at the inside of the fibula. [Illustration: Plate 71.] RIFLE--PLATE 71. LOWER EXTREMITY. Gunshot Fracture of the Fibula. The course of the bullet was anteroposterior through the lower third of the leg, striking the fibula squarely, passing through the bone with a perforating effect, accompanied by slight fragmentation and with a reduced velocity of long range. The wounds of entrance and exit would be almost the same in appearance. Asepsis in such cases is the almost invariable rule, and the treatment after the simple dressing is that of a simple fracture. [Illustration: Plate 72.] RIFLE--PLATE 72. LOWER EXTREMITY. Gunshot Fracture of the Ankle. The course of the bullet was anteroposterior, striking the fibula from behind with a velocity of long range, and causing some slight fragmentation without displacement of the fragments. The joint architecture is slightly disturbed. The joint mortice is a bit widened by the external deflection of the external malleolus, which permits a slight outward rotation of the astragalus. As the dangers of infection are usually escaped, the treatment is that for Pott’s fracture. [Illustration: Plate 73.] RIFLE--PLATE 73. LOWER EXTREMITY. Gunshot Wound of the Heel, with Lodgment of the Missile. The course of the bullet was from behind forward through the insertion of the tendo Achillis and its lodgment along the outer border of the os calcis. There was no injury to the bone. The path of the bullet is shown by the slight mottling above the posterior extremity of the os calcis. The nose of the bullet is slightly deformed by ricochet at long range. The very slight penetration and the slight deformity of the nose of the bullet indicates a velocity of extreme range of both impact of the ricochet and of the wound. The sharp outline of fibula and the base of fifth metatarsal shows the fibula to be next to the plate. The only slight enlargement and square base of the shadow of the bullet show it to be parallel to the plate, or at right angles to the line of projection, and thus indicate its position to be on the fibula side of the os calcis, below the tip of the external malleolus. [Illustration: Plate 74.] RIFLE--PLATE 74. LOWER EXTREMITY. Gunshot Wound of the Heel. This is the same case as shown in plate 69, but with the shadow projected from above downward instead of from side to side, as in the preceding plate. The interpretation of the shadows in the preceding plate is thus confirmed.