Trochanteric Fracture of the Femur

So says the Psalmist, and how forcibly do his words strike us when coinsidlering the conditions which affect the aged. These constitute social, medical and surgical problems with which at present we are not keeping pace. Of the surgical problems, none is more challenging or more vorthy of thoughlt than the trochanteric fracture of the femur-the fracture of the twilight of life. This very special fracture is certain to increase in numbers in any surgical service in the fuiture since we are assured that the percentage of the aged among our population is increasing, and that this increase is likely to conltinue for many years. This communication is not a statistical review, nor is it in anyl wax an attemipt to compare the endl results of conservatism and operative surgery in the treatment of the fracture. It is hoped, however, to point out some of the problems involved and, whilst stressing the benefits of surgery, to describe a simple and satisfactory coniservative method of treatment easily applicable in every hospital, whatever the surgical facilities may be.