Stage 1: The Fracture set. - The limb is secured on a back-splint, with a slightly oblique foot-piece, by bandages at the ankle and knee. Side-splints fixed by webbings or straps complete the fixation of the fracture.

Assuming that massage in these cases of recent fracture is right - as I have no doubt it is - the next point for our consideration is the method of its application. There are, roughly, three stages in the process, and each of these stages effects certain purposes. Naturally, the first thing in every fracture is to 'set' the broken bones, by which I mean placing them in their proper positions. Nothing short of accurate replacement of the fragments in their proper position should be regarded as a satisfactory 'setting.' The primary point, therefore, to be borne in mind in every case of fracture is that too much trouble cannot be taken in the first instance in getting the bones into position. With regard to the plan of fixing fractured bones in position by the use of screws, nails, pegs, wire, etc, I propose to say nothing here. The method is under certain conditions a good one, but it obviously cannot be freely adopted by the ordinary practitioner, although it may produce excellent results in the practice of some of us. Returning from this digression to the method of applying massage, let us suppose that this man before you has a broken leg, somewhere below its middle.

1 See Present Position of the Treatment of Simple Fractures of the Limbs.