After the fracture has been kept in splints for several weeks there is risk of the joints in the neighbourhood becoming stiff and fixed. To prevent this, as soon as is consistent with the union of the fracture, four, five, or six weeks after it has been received, the bandages and splints should be undone, and the joint exercised gently by the hands. Rubbing the joints, bathing frequently with hot and cold water, will help this. The place of fracture itself should be guarded by small splints placed immediately over it, or by supports of some other kind, such as stiff bandages. An ordinary leather plaster, heated and placed round the seat of fracture, is a simple and efficient means of doing this.
Compound fractures are often very difficult to treat, and are very dangerous kinds besides. If it is the end of the broken bone that made the wound, and if the bone is still protruding, there is often great difficulty in reducing the fracture. When reduced the fracture ought to be so put up that the wound is left free and open, so that it may be properly and frequently dressed. The wound should be carefully washed
with water which contains carbolic acid (one part of the acid to sixty of water), and a piece of lint (lipped in this solution ought then to be laid over the wound, the lint being covered by gutta percha tissue and secured by a bandage. The dressing should be renewed every day or second day. There are various complications which may readily arise in connection with compound fractures, but they are of such a character that only qualified surgeons can deal with them, and therefore it is needless discussing them here. A serious complication is the wounding of an important blood-vessel by the ragged end of the bone and great consequent loss of blood. The bleeding may be temporarily arrested by apply ing over the wound a thick pad and binding it tightly on with a bandage or handkerchief. (See chapter on ACCIDENTS AND EMERGENCIES.) Amputation is frequently necessary to save life. When a fracture has united crookedly it may to some extent be rectified by a surgical opera tion;