o marked, but there is
usually a very tender point at the seat of the fracture, and an
irregularity of the surface of the bone may be felt at this point. If
false motion and a grating sound can also be elicited, the condition
is clear. The broken bones are put into their proper place by the
operator who pulls steadily on the wrist, while an assistant grasps
the upper part of the forearm and pulls the other way. The ends of the
fragments are at the same time pressed into place by the other hand of
the operator, so that the proper straight line of the limb is
restored.

[Illustration: FIG. 16.

FRACTURE OF BOTH BONES IN FOREARM (SCUDDER).

This cut shows the position and length of the two padded splints; also
method of applying adhesive plaster.]

After the forearm is set, it should be held steadily in the following
position while the splints are applied. The elbow is bent so that the
forearm is held at right angles with the arm horizontally across the
front of the chest with the hand extended, open palm toward the body
and thumb uppermost. The splints, two in number, are made of wood
about one-quarter inch thick, and one-quarter inch wider than the
forearm. They should be long enough to reach from about two inches
below the elbow to the root of the fingers. They are covered smoothly
with cotton wadding, cotton wool, or other soft material, and then
with a bandage. The splints are applied to the forearm in the
positions described, one to the back of the hand and forearm, and the
other to the palm of the hand and front of the forearm.

Usually there are spaces in the palm of the hand and front of the
wrist requiring to be filled with extra padding in addition to that on
the splint. The splints are bound together and to the forearm by three
strips of surgeon's adhesive plaster or bandage, about two inches
wide. One strip is wound about the upper ends of the splints, one is
wrapped about them above the wrist, and the third surrounds the back
of the hand and palm, binding the splints together below the thumb.
The splints should be held firmly in place, but great care should be
exercised to use no more force in applying the adhesive plaster or
bandage than is necessary to accomplish this end, as it is easy to
stop the circulation by pressure in this part. There should be some
spring felt when the splints are pressed together after their
application. A bandage is to be applied over the splints and strips of
plaster, begi