blesome to both patient and furgeon, and are not well calculated to insure a straight limb. The method proposed, poffeffes two advantages over any other hitherto adopted by it, the extension can be kept up in compound fractures, whilst the furgeon is applying the neceffary dreffings to the wound. The patient therefore is faved all that pain which he would have to fuffer from a removal of bandages, fplints, &c. as in the common practice. We can alfo, in fimple fractures, afcertain merely by turning our eyes towards the leg, the least dif placement of the bones: when the common splints are used, and the eighteen-tailed bandage is applied, we are under the neceffity of removing them to form a correct idea of the ftate of the limb.

The apparatus which has been recommended, fome of our first surgeons have used with the happiest effects. I have witneffed its fuccefs in a number of cafes.

It is fcarcely necessary to observe, that the application of it would be improper during the existence of inflammation. About the 10th day after the fracture has happened, it will be found most useful.

PENNSYLVANIA HOSPITAL,

August 6th, 1804.

JAMES HUTCHINSON.

Of the Ufe of Blifters in checking the Progress of Mortification. By PHILIP SYNG PHYSICK, M. D.

THE practice of curing eryfipelatous inflammation by the application of a blifter over the inflamed part, originated, as far as I know, with the late Dr. Jofeph Pfeiffer. From having employed blifters in the treatment of that complaint with great fuccefs, I was induced to fuppofe fome years ago, that they might alfo be ufed with advantage in arresting the progrefs of mortification.