79. The reduction is effected, by pushing the separated fragment in
the direction opposite to that of its displacement, by bringing it
to its natural level, and, in certain cases, by moving the thigh a
little outwards; it is retained by means of some compresses placed by
its sides, and secured by a roller directed obliquely from the sound
hip towards that part of the thigh corresponding to the fracture, and
representing a true spica bandage.
80. A fracture produced by a gun-shot wound, always renders large
incisions necessary, for the purpose of extracting foreign bodies, and
relaxing the aponeurosis of the fascia lata, which suffers too great a
degree of tension in this place, and might, if not dilated, produce a
very troublesome stricture. A fracture complicated by splinters, but
without an external wound, and produced by a body striking against the
part, seldom requires any particular apparatus, because, adhering as
yet to the periosteum, the separated portions of the os femoris may
unite again, either among themselves, or with the fragments.