ring-point at the head of the tibia. After the plaster has
thoroughly set, the patient is allowed to walk about with a stick,
crutches being unnecessary. In the course of three weeks the plaster
case may be removed and the limb massaged. It is usually found that
the movements of the ankle are scarcely interfered with, and the
patient is generally able to resume work within a month of the
accident.

[Illustration: FIG. 95.--Ambulant Splint of plaster of Paris.]

When there is marked eversion of the foot, it may be necessary to
administer a general anaesthetic to reduce the deformity; and to
prevent recurrence of the displacement _Dupuytren's splint_ (Fig. 96)
may be used. This splint, which is of the same shape as Liston's long
splint, but on a small scale, is applied to the medial side of the leg
extending from just below the knee to well beyond the sole of the
foot. A large pad is placed in the hollow above the medial malleolus,
and it must be thick enough to carry the splint so far from the limb
that when the foot is fully inverted it does not touch the splint. The
upper end of the splint having been fixed to the leg at the level of
the condyles of the tibia, a bandage is applied to correct the
eversion of the foot, and at the same time to support the heel, and,
as far as possible, to overcome the pointing of the toes. Care must be
taken to avoid carrying the turns of this bandage over the seat of
fracture. The limb may then be slung in a cradle, or placed on a
pillow resting on its lateral side with the knee flexed. In the course
of a few days, a poroplastic splint may be substituted and massage
commenced.

[Illustration: FIG. 96.--Dupuytren's Splint applied to correct
eversion of foot.]

When backward displacement of the heel is the prominent deformity,
_Syme's horse-shoe_ or _stirrup splint_ (Fig. 97) may be employed. It
is applied to the anterior aspect of the limb, which is carefully
padded to prevent undue pressure on the edge of the shin bone. After
the upper end of the splint has been fixed, the heel is pulled forward
by a few turns of bandage passed over the prongs at the lower end of
the splint. The foot is then inverted and brought up to a right angle
by a few supplementary turns of the bandage. In a few days this
appliance may be replaced by a poroplastic splint.

[Illustration: FIG. 97.--Syme's Horse-shoe Splint applied to correct
backward displacement of foot.]

_Operative Treatment._--If the dis