With the patient lying flat on the back and both legs together in a straight line with the body, measurements from each hip-bone are made with a tape to the bony prominence on the inside of each ankle, in turn. One end of the tape is held at the navel and the other is swung from one ankle to the other, comparing the length of the two limbs. Shortening of less than half an inch is of no importance as a sign of fracture. The fragments of broken bone are often jammed together (impacted) so that it is impossible to get any sound of grating between them, and it is very unwise to manipulate the leg or hip joint, except in the gentlest manner, in an attempt to get this grating. If the ends of the fragments become disengaged from each other it often happens that union of the break never occurs. [Illustration: FIG. 25. TREATMENT FOR FRACTURED HIP (SCUDDER). Note method of holding splints in place with muslin strips; one above ankle, one below and one above knee, one in middle and one around upper part of thigh.] The treatment simply consists in keeping the patient quiet on a hard mattress, with a small pillow under the knee of the injured side and the limb steadied on either side by pillows or cushions until a surgeon can be obtained. (See Thigh-bone Fracture.) =THIGH-BONE FRACTURE.= _First Aid Rule.--Prepare long piece of thin board which will reach from armpit to ankle, and another piece long enough to reach from crotch to knee, and pad each with folded towels or blanket._ _While one assistant holds body back, and another assistant pulls on ankle of injured side, see that the fragments are separated and brought into good line, and then apply the splints, assistants still pulling steadily, and fasten the splints in place with bandage, or by tying several cloths across at three places above the knee and two places below the knee._ _Finally, pass a wide band of cloth about the body, from armpit to hips, inclosing the upper part of the well-padded splint, and fasten it snugly. The hollow between splint and waist must be filled with padding before this wide cloth is applied._ In fracture of the thigh bone (between the hip and knee), there is often great swelling about the break. The limb is helpless and useless. There is intense pain and abnormal position in the injured part, besides deformity produced by the swelling. The foot of the injured limb is turned over to one side or the other, owing to a rolling over of the portion of the limb below the break. With both lower limbs in line with the body, and the patient lying on the back, measurements are made from each hip-bone to the prominence on the inside of either ankle joint. Shortening of the injured leg will be found, varying from one to over two inches, according to the overlapping and displacement of the fragments.