these the groove is covered with fat, and from its surface fibres of the caspular ligament take their origin. If the head of the femur be placed in its corresponding pelvis in this groove it will be seen how accurately the convexity of the head of the bone fits the concavity of the ischium. If also the head of the femur be placed on the sciatic notch, and is then moved towards the socket, it will be found that it slips over the convex outer surface of the acetabulum, and is directed into and along the groove just referred to; and this I believe must happen when extension is employed for the reductions of these dislocotions-the head glides below the socket, and slips up again when extension is remitted. In attempting to replace the femur by manipulation, as this operation is usually practised, by the rolling outwards of the shaft, the head is also carried along this groove, its progress through which may be traced easily enough, and incurs the risk of passing around the acetabulum. so that the head, when the thigh is extended, comes up on the obturator side, or rises even to the pubes, having described a half circle below the socket. This rolling of the head round the acetabulum is a chief objection to the plan of reduction by manipulation, and is almost sure to occur if the thigh is rotated outwards; in this way the ischiatic nerve has been seriously crushed, and the bruising of the parts has been such as to give rise, in one instance at least, to subsequent disease of the hip-joint.

To return to the case before us. After the patient had rested for several days I adopted the following plan: The thigh was bent upon the abdomen, and I slowly moved the limb into a straight line with the body, so that the head of the bone could be felt projecting in the buttock, outside the tuber ischii. The limb, in a straight line with the trunk, without allowing any rotation outwards, was then drawn forward from the abdomen, and forced downward (extended) and the head of the bone at once slipped into the acetabulum. These movements were made slowly and steadily, and the limb was extended with care, remembering the great leverage which we were making use of, and the position of the head, which was being pressed up in the socket. In two recorded cases the neck of the femur has been broken under a somewhat similar strain.

If these manuœvres are examined by the help of the skeleton, it will be found that by flexion, and by moving the thigh into a straight line with the body, the head is brought from the notch into the groove just above the outer side of the tuber ischii. Here it is opposite the least prominent part of the lower edge of the acetabulum, and if the femur is depressed whilst in this position the head easily slips into the socket. Dr. Markoe, with

the addition of a rocking movement as the thigh is extended, and Dr. Hamilton, employed somewhat similar manoeuvres, and they speak favorably of their success.-[Geo. W. Callender, F. R. C. S., in the Lancet.

TORSION OF LARGE ARTERIES.-The practice of twisting the divided ends of the arteries, instead of applying ligatures, has lately been tried by Prof. Humphry, after all his operations, in Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambrige, and with good result. There has been no subsequent bleeding in any case; and the wounds have, he thinks, on the whole, healed better than they would have done with the ligatures. The popliteal is among the arteries which have been thus secured, and the femoral, in two instances, after amputation in the thigh.-Medical Record.

NON-UNITING FRACTURES.-Mr. Geo. W. Challender read a paper (March 24, 1868) on this subject before the Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society. After referring to the statements made by Amesbury and Hamilton respecting non-uniting fractures, the author relates a series of cases to show that the union of a broken bone is never prevented, although it may be delayed by constitutional causes. Instances are given of the repair of fractures in cases of recent and long-standing paralysis, and cases of non-union occurring during childhood are incidently referred to. The results of the treatment of fractures at St. Bartholowmew's Hospital during the past seven years are mentioned; also the history of a case of non-uniting fracture of the thigh, and cases of non-union from special local causes. It is concluded that three well-defined varieties must be enumerated of fractures which fail to unite: 1. Fractures not inaptly termed spontaneous, which ensue from disease of the bone; in which it is evident that no union is likely to take place. 2. Fractures (a) with separation of the bone and periosteum to such an extent that there cannot be thrown out bone-material enough to fill up the gap between the fragments; (b) occurring through bones not provided with periosteum, when it is difficult to keep the broken ends together. 3. All fractures other than the preceeding; and in these cases, although union

may be delayed, it never ultimately fails, except as the result of bad management of the injury. Several cases are narrated to show the effect of non-uniting fracture upon joint movements, and the treatment of those injuries where the thigh is the bone involved, is briefly referred to. Cases are cited in illustration of the great length of time after the lapse of which a fracture, if properly treated, may be repaired, and the occasional good results from mere fibrous union are illustrated by pathological observations. The question of joint-stiffness after fractures is considered, and the importance of not interfering with such stiffness until the fracture is firmly united is insisted upon, and reasons are given for the presumption that such premature interference by the use of passive movements is a frequent cause of non-union. The following are the conclusions arrived at: Nonunion of an ordinary fracture should never occur. Under care

ful treatment, bones will unite two years or longer after the occurrence of the fracture. It is reasonable to suppose that such fractures would have united at an earlier period, if properly treated. Treatment of delayed union should consist-1st. In the improvement of the health, and in the avoidance of local obstructions to the circulation. 2d. In placing the broken bone in the best position attainable. 3d. In leaving it at rest until it unites, its doing so being simply a question of time. 4th. In avoiding all attempts to overcome the stiffness of joints adjacent to, but not involved in, a fracture, until the bone is firmly united; and this applies also to the management of fractures which unite in the usual time-Medical Times and Gazette.

PRACTICAL MEDICINE.

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CONTINUOUS ELECTRICAL CURRENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF THE SUSPENSION OF VITAL ACTIONS CAUSED BY CHLOROFORM. M M. Onimus and Legros, after examining the effects of constant electrical currents on the heart and its nerves, were led to believe that such currents might prove efficient in stimulating the beart's action after its paralysis by chloroform inhalation. They have, accordingly, carefully investigated the subject (Comptes Rendus, Mars 9, 1867). They assert that in chloroform syncope there is more or less paralysis of the muscular fibres of the heart. The means hitherto recommended to treat this condition, such as artificial respiration, flagellation, and aspersion with cold water, are insufficient, as they do not directly influence the muscular action of the heart. Interrupted currents of electricity should not be used, as they diminish and even stop the

respiratory and cardiac movements. The value of continuous electric currents was tested by experiments on dogs, rabbits, rats and frogs, in the following manner. A rat was placed under a glass cover along with a sponge saturated with chloroform. Its respirations gradually became jerking, and in one minute they had nearly ceased, while the animal was now completely anesthetized. It was left for thirty seconds longer under the glass cover, and after being withdrawn, it was left untouched for another thirty seconds. No cardiac action was now perceptable. A continuous electric current was then passed from the rectum to the mouth; nothing was observed for several seconds, when the heart's beat reappeared, and then imperfect respiratory movements occurred, which, by the by, became quite normal. The electralization was now stopped, and the animal gradually recovered. Even when left for two minutes in a state of apparent death, the application of a continuous current resuscitated the annimal. If an interrupted current were employed in place of a continuous one, death always occurred; but if the former had been employed for only a short time, life could still be restored by the use of a continuous current. The experiments on frogs were of great interest. as the various stages of the effects could be distinctly recognized, especially if the heart were previously exposed. As the exhibition of the anaesthetic was continued, the beats diminished in force and number and then ceased; if a continuous current was now used, the beats recommenced. A frog was left to itself for twenty-four hours after complete chloroform anesthesia; the heart was then quite immobile, and although a continuous electric current could not cause any contractions of the voluntary muscles, it caused a renewal of the heart's action. Journal of Anatomy Physiology.

A NEW, READY AND PERFECT MODE OF EMBALMING, AS EXEMPLIFIED AT BELLEVUE HOSPITAL DURING THE PAST FOUR MONTHS-During the past few months, it has been my pleasure to have several invitations to be present at Bellevue Hospital College to witness the new process of embalming, before the faculty, by simply washing the corpse with a solution of carbolic acid of a certain strength, which must not be too strong or too dilute. If too strong, it becomes so caustic as to destroy the tissue, and render its minute structure one common mass by coagulation. The proper strength can be determined by making the solution moderately strong, say one part of the acid to one hundred parts of water, and then dip a portion of the muscular

tissue into the solution and add the acid until it gives the tissue a red and natural appearance, and, then, under the microscope, you will have one of the minute structure in all its beauty. When strong enough, it cauterizes and coagulates, giving the substance the same appearance as a free application of caustic silver. Although the patentee claims, as the following from his circular will show, that "it is simply a wash, the body is not mutilated in any way, no injection is made into the veins, no cut or incision is made upon the body, it is a disinfectant," and other virtues in his compound, we have not been able to discover, in the many post-mortem examinations and dissections at Bellevue, any other trace, track, smell or taste than simply that of carbolic acid, or creosote of coal-tar, or, as the chemist calls it, the hydrated oxide of phenyle.

We will now turn to the different dissections made before the medical savans of New York and her suburban cities. First, a body of one month's preservation; second, a body of two months' preservation; third, a body of three months' preservation; fourth, a body of four months' preservation; and others of intermediate space of time. Under this simple form, in each case, the results were uniform:-The skin soft and pliant, with the epithelium intact, the body rotund and plump, expression good and natural, the joints free and easy, and upon dissecting the brain, it was found sound and free from odor, save a faint smell of coal-tar. Even the fluids were preserved. The same may be stated of the lungs, liver, intestines and spleen, the blood and blood-disks, muscular, fatty and cellular tissues. Even in a subject who died of tubercular disease of the lungs, seventy-three days after death the abscesses of the lungs had not undergone any change, and laudable pus was found from broken down tubercles. This fact alone struck all with wonder and admiration. During the whole of these exhibitions, the microscopic and chemical agents were freely used and commented upon, and in all cases the muscular striæ and cellular development were perfect. Dr. Doremus, Professor of Chemistry and Toxicology at this College, said, "he had the honor of embalming Archbishop John Hughes, of New York, and had witnessed the same ceremony in the case of the late Archbishop of Paris, and in many other cases in all circumstances of life, but he never witnessed any process approximating the beauty and perfection of this new mode now being introduced by Mr. Clark, for with all other methods there would be some discoloration from the metallic injections, and a mutilation of some kind in every instance."

Dr. Sayre, Professor of Surgery in this College, furthermore