them in every part of the length of the bone (plate
XXI.). Fig. 57 illustrates a form of peculiar interest as showing the
gradual transition of the tunnel to the groove, and also as bringing
fractures of the long bones into line with such fractures of the flat
bones of the skull as are depicted in fig. 68.

[Illustration: FIG. 57.--(42) Perforation of lower third of Tibia,
showing lifting and fissuring of the compact roof of the tunnel. Compare
with fig. 68, p. 259, of a fracture of the cranial vault.]

_Fractures of the fibula_ offered no special features of importance. Any
form might occur. The plate No. XXIII. is of interest as showing a
spurious form of perforation, and also the primary form of displacement
of the fragments in stellate fractures. It was produced by a reversed
ricochet, but undeformed, bullet, still seen in position in the
skiagram; the bullet only possessed sufficient force to perforate the
bone, and then appears to have turned on its transverse axis. The
following plate, No. XXIV., is inserted to show the depth at which the
bullet lay, and its distance from the surface of the tibia, which
appears in the first plate to be nil. It is also of interest as showing
the ease with which a false impression may be obtained from a single
picture, as, beyond a spot of transparency, no obvious injury to the
fibula, and certainly no displacement, is discernible.

[Illustration: PLATE XXIV.

Skiagram by H. CATLING.

Engraved and Printed by Bale and Danielsson, Ltd.

(41_a_) This skiagram is inserted to show the depth at which the bullet
lay from the surface. It is also interesting to note the insignificance
of the fracture of the fibula from this aspect. Without the second
skiagram the injury might have passed for a simple perforation or a
transverse fracture.]

Fractures of the bones of the leg possessed an unenviable degree of
importance. First, on account of the very severe injuries to the soft
parts that often accompanied them, without an apparently correspondingly
serious damage to the bone. Secondly, on account of the frequency with
which the vessels were implicated in these injuries to the soft parts,
either by the bullet or bone fragments. Beyond this, fracture of either
articular end of the tibia was certainly more frequently followed by
troublesome joint complications than occurred in the case of any other
bone.

In the matter of 'explosive' injuries, I think more were seen in the
calf of the