By comparison of the shadows of the missiles with the shadows of the portion of the localizing wire lying nearer the plate (shown more deeply and distinctly), and with the portion lying in front of the leg, it can be concluded that the fragments lie superficially in front of the bones. A slight fissure fracture of the fibula may be seen in the upper portion of the plate. [Illustration: Plate 145.] SHRAPNEL--PLATE 145. LOWER EXTREMITY. Gunshot Fracture of the Fibula, with Lodgment of the Missile. The fibular side of the leg lay next to the plate. The sharp outline, great density, and normal size of the shadow of the shrapnel ball shows the ball almost in contact with the plate. The metallic particles marking the contact of the ball and the fibula, at the seat of a diagonal fracture, without displacement of fragments, are shown so distinctly that they must also be near the plate. The course of the ball, therefore, was from without, ranging inward and upward with the slight energy of long (shrapnel) range. The ball lies on the fibular side superficially, just in front of the fibula. [Illustration: Plate 146.] SHRAPNEL--PLATE 146. LOWER EXTREMITY. Gunshot Fracture of the Right Fibula. The plate exposed with the tibial side down shows the wound in the course of treatment, with a drainage tube in position after the detached fragments of several inches of the fibula have been removed on account of infection. Several fragments of the missile are shown on the lower fragment of the fibula. Conservative treatment is evident and good results should follow. [Illustration: Plate 147.] SHRAPNEL--PLATE 147. LOWER EXTREMITY. Gunshot Wound of the Lower End of the Right Fibula. As the heel lay next to the photographic plate, the right ankle is easily identified. The clear shadows of even the very small metallic particles show them also next to the plate and, therefore, on the posterior surface of the external malleolus, where a shrapnel ball at extremely low velocity struck and produced a slight fracture, or more of a fissure, without separation of fragment. The joint mortise is intact, as the line of fracture does not extend to the articular surface. The shrapnel ball in such cases would lie just beneath the skin or escape through an adjacent wound. [Illustration: Plate 148.] SHRAPNEL--PLATE 148. LOWER EXTREMITY. Gunshot (Pott’s) Fracture of the Left Ankle. As the heel lies next to the plate, the left ankle is easily identified. The course of the missile is shown by a metallic track from the internal to the external malleolus, and by a point of greater contact with the internal malleolus at the upper border of its articulation with the astragulus, resulting in an oblique fracture, separating the tip of the external malleolus.