A Treatise on Fractures, Luxations, and Other Affections of the Bones

by P.-J. Desault

A. A common roller, passed several times round the leg a little below the knee, on which counter-extension is made.

B. A silk handkerchief folded, or a strong roller made of soft muslin, passed once round the leg, just above the ancle, from behind forward. C. The place where its two ends cross each other to pass down along each side of the foot, as seen at b, to D, where they are secured by a knot drawn but moderately tight. a a. The same ends continued to E where they are again secured by a firm knot over the cross piece F, which passes between the two strong splints G G, that run on each side of the leg from a little above the knee, to the distance of four or five inches beyond the sole of the foot. This is the bandage by which extension is made, as will be mentioned hereafter.

H. Two bits of strong tape, each about two feet long, placed in the longitudinal direction of the leg, and firmly secured by the roller A, which passes over their middle. Two such bits of tape, are thus applied on each side of the leg, and their four ends, passing through four holes in the upper end of each of the splints G G, are secured on their outsides by firm knots as represented at H.

Fig. 2. A view of one of the splints G G, separated from the leg.

a. The four holes in the upper end, through which the bits of tape H pass.

b. The mortise in the lower end, which receives the cross-piece F.

Fig. 3. A view of the cross-piece F, which must be firmly fixed in one of the splints G G, but moveable in the mortise of the other, so that the splints may be taken asunder at pleasure.

The following is the method of applying this apparatus.

While extension and counter-extension are made by two assistants, the surgeon placing the bits of tape H on each side of the leg, secures them firmly by the roller A applied round the limb, with a proper degree of tightness. He then applies the middle of the handkerchief or roller B on the tendo Achillis, brings its ends across each other, before the leg at C, and carrying them down along each side of the foot, secures them by a knot at D. Letting go the ends of the handkerchief B, he next places on each side of the leg the splints G G, connects them at the lower end by the cross-piece F and secures them at the upper end by the tapes H. He then resumes the ends of the handkerchief B, carries them downward as seen at a a and secures them by a firm knot at E round the cross-piece F.