FRACTURES OF THE ANKLE

To the Editor: —InThe Journal, September 22, is a paper by Dr. Frank D. Dickson, Kansas City, on fractures of the ankle. In fractures of the ankle in addition to fracture of the inner malleolus with separation of the fragments and fracture of the fibula with overlapping of the fragments, there is frequently backward displacement of the foot on the tibia. In the directions given by Dr. Dickson for the reduction of the fracture he has overlooked the simple and necessary directions given by Percival Pott, namely, to reduce the fracture satisfactorily, and particularly the backward displacement of the foot, it is necessary to manipulate the foot with the knee flexed in order to relax the calf muscles fully.