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tary. A piece of lint sufficient to cover the aperture of the wound and about an inch of the margin, was dipped in a solution of one part of the acid and four of boiled linseed oil and applied immediately, and over this a paste, of the consistence of common putty, composed of the above solution of the acid in the oil and carbonate of lime (common whiting) spread a quarter of an inch thick between the folds of a thin calico cloth, was applied, covering the limb for two-thirds of its circumference. The displacement of the fragments was then rectified, and the limb placed in an improved M’Intyre splint, after which the patient expressed himself free from pain and quite comfortable. Ordered 30 drops of the sedative solution of opium.

For the first three days there was a discharge of blood and serum from the wound, but not the slightest pain, swelling, preternatural heat, or constitutional disturbance— the tongue being clean, the pulse natural, and patient ate and slept well.

Jan. 11.— All oozing from the wound having ceased, the lint placed immediately over it being quite dry and firmly adherent by a crust of inspissated blood, the use of the paste was discontinued.

The object of introducing the acid into the wound is to destroy any septic germs that may have found their way along with atmospheric air into the wound at the time of or subsequent to the accident; the function of the lint is to destroy any septic germs that may fall upon it during the time (which should be short) required for changing the paste, which should be done daily, so long as any discharge takes place from the wound; and the office of the paste is to act as a reservoir of the acid, to keep the rag beneath it in an antiseptic state and prevent decomposition in the stream of blood and serum which escapes from the wound for the first few days, and which might otherwise in that state find its way back into the wound and light up inflammation there.

Feb. 10.— The bones are now firmly united under the rag, as under a scab, in as short a time as if the case had been from the first a simple fracture, without the least perceptible shortening of the limb or inequality at the site of fracture.

Arthur C——, aged 30, miner, admitted 28th January, 1868, when he stated that three hours ago he was working in a sluicing claim at the Kanieri, five miles distant, when a mass of earth and stone slipped and fell twenty feet from the face of a terrace, striking him on the left knee, throwing him backwards, and burying the limb in the debris. Found a compound fracture of both bones of the leg at its middle third, the wound communicating with the fracture being in the calf, and having an external aperture of an inch and a-half in length. The wound was bleeding freely, and the limb was much bruised and swollen. The wound was treated with the acid, and dressed, as in the previous case. Displacement of the fragments was then rectified, and the limb, bent at the knee to relax the hamstring and gastrocnemius muscles, was placed comfortably on its outer side on a pillow until a suitable apparatus could be made, as I had no M’Intyre splint with slides so situated as to allow of exposure of the wound for the purpose of dressing, without undoing the whole apparatus. To have half a drachm of sedative solution of opium every six hours, as the pulse was weak and fluttering, the face pale and anxious, and patient had a slight rigor.

Jan. 29.— Slept pretty well. Complains on being pressed of a very slight uneasiness occasionally at site of fracture; pulse natural, tongue slightly furred.

Jan. 31.— All oozing from the wound having ceased, the paste was discontinued.

Feb. 1.— The rag over wound quite dry and adherent by a crust of dried blood, under which, as under a scab, the wound is evidently advanced in the healing process, and, as in the previous case, without the formation of a single drop of pus.

Feb. 24.— The case has been treated since 31st January in every respect like a simple fracture, which indeed it now is, the wound having healed, as in the previous case, by the first intention, and there is no room to doubt that after the lapse of six weeks from the date of the accident, the patient will be able to go about and make some use of the limb.

March 4.— The bones are now pretty firmly united, in a very short time even for a simple fracture.

Such cases as these require no comment. The most formidable surgical injuries are by this method of treatment converted into the simplest ones, giving the patient and the surgeon less trouble than an ordinary ulcer, and being attended with as little risk to life or limb.

Besides the immense saving of life and of suffering which the adoption of this new method of treatment by the profession will effect, there is another aspect in which I may be allowed to look at it—viz., the economical aspect.

In two months from the receipt of the injury, I expect to be able to discharge these two cases cured. Six months is about the average time taken to cure compound fractures under the ordinary method of treatment, so that there will be a saving to the Hospital of four months’ board of each of the patients.

Patrick D——, aged 28, miner, admitted 1st January, 1868. Patient, a very healthy, muscular man, stated that a fortnight ago he was thrown from a tramway truck with a number of others, and received a blow in the