Beef Bone Research Articles

EFFECT OF EMBALMING ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF BEEF BONE.

Small tension and compression specimens were made from beef femurs and alternate specimens were embalmed. The stress-strain diagrams were then obtained using automatic recording equipment. From this diagram the modulus of elasticity, ultimate strength, and maximum strain to failure were determined. The hardness of all specimens was measured. A statistical evaluation of the data indicated that embalming causes a significant reduction (12%) in the ultimate compressive strength of beef bone, but only very slight reductions in ultimate tensile strength, maximum strain, and modulus of elasticity. The change in hardness was found to be insignificant. ultimate strength of beef bone; modulus of elasticity of beef bone; hardness of beef bone; tensile testing of beef bone; compressive testing of beef bone Submitted on October 1, 1963

Supracondylar fractures of the femur a recommended treatment for non-unions and fresh fractures

S UPRACONDYLAR fractures of the femur are a real chahenge to everyone who treats them because of the frequent diffrculty one has in attaining adequate reduction and immobilization and because of the additional fact that considerabIe knee motion is permanently lost due to the required period of immobiIization. A method which permits accurate reduction and firm fixation of the fracture shortens the period of disability because of faster callus formation and also permits earlier mobilization of the knee, minimizing the ultimate loss of knee motion. The authors believe that the use of the blade plate in fresh cases offers these definite advantages. Only when a supracondylar fracture is in exceIIent position shouId conservative treatment such as traction or cast immobiIization be used. Once displacement of some degree is present it is beIieved that a definite surgica1 indication exists. Non-union of supracondyIar fractures of the femur in recent years has been found to be common. In this series are three patients who were operated upon for non-union of the fracture within a period of three months. Up to March 28, 1950, when the first patient was operated upon for a non-union (C. K.) using a massive bone graft and blade plate, innumerable other methods had been tried with indifferent resuIts. The reduction was often inadequate, the period of immobilization long and the Ioss of knee motion great. The gamut of skeIetaI traction, Roger Anderson pins with externa1 bar fixation, bent knee in a spica cast, Russel traction, intermedulIary autogenous bone grafts and intramedullary beef bone grafts were found to be successful in some cases, but the end results Ieft one with much to be desired. Perforation of the popIitea1 artery, although frequentIy referred to in textbooks, was found to occur onIy once in twenty-one years. The number of supracondylar fractures seen during this period could we11 be in dozens rather than in singIe digits.

DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES OF SOME ANIMAL TISSUES AT METER AND CENTIMETER WAVE LENGTHS

Measurements have been made of the dielectric constant and the absorption coefficient of some animal tissues at λ 1.72 m. by the Drude–Cooledge method, and at λ 9.5 cm. and λ 3.2 cm. by the reflection with change of phase method as developed by von Hippel. The dielectric constant of beef fat changed from about 9.5 at λ 1.72 m. to 3.5 at λ 3.2 cm., that of bone remained about constant between 6.5 and 7, that of beef bone marrow was reduced from 20 to 3.7, and that of frog muscle from 135 to 35. The absorption coefficient increased from 0.026 to 0.79 per cm. for fat, from 0.0028 to 0.56 for bone, from 0.028 to 0.9 for bone marrow, and from 0.08 to between 5 and 6 for frog muscle in the same range. Uncertainties of measurement and variation between samples are in general large. The dielectric constant found for muscle at λ 1.72 cm. is higher than a value given by Osswald at λ 3 m.

FOREIGN BODY IN THE BRONCHIAL TREE: Occurrence of an Object of Unusual Size

Foreign bodies in the bronchi are not rare. A foreign body such as was found in this case usually lodges in the esophagus or the larynx rather than in the bronchus. This case is presented because of the following unusual features: the extraordinarily large size and the location of the foreign body; the asymptomatic course; the difficulty of roentgenographic visualization, and the mechanical difficulty of removal. <h3>REPORT OF A CASE</h3> E. W., a 60 year old man, presented himself to the otolaryngology outpatient department of the Metropolitan Hospital, with a history of having swallowed a beef bone three weeks ago. At that time he had a short coughing spell and a sharp pain in the left side of the chest. Since then he had complained of coughing spells associated with mild pains in the chest. Examination at the clinic of the hypopharynx and larynx revealed nothing abnormal. The patient was

TREATMENT OF SUBTROCHANTERIC, INTERTROCHANTERIC AND CERVICAL FRACTURES OF THE FEMUR

In treating cases of subtrochanteric, intertrochanteric and cervical fractures of the femur, I use a device made from beef bone which I call a key, and on which I rely exclusively for immobilization. In the subtrochanteric cases, a posterior padded board splint is used, extending from the gluteal fold beyond the heel to facilitate moving the patient and changing his position in bed. I now have a series of fifty-two cases; none of the patients have been confined to bed for more than four weeks. Union that permits walking on crutches is obtained in from three to four weeks. The following two cases are submitted, with illustrations, as examples. Case 1. —Mrs. R., aged 80, was blown down by the wind on the street and sustained a subtrochanteric, comminuted fracture, as shown in figure 1A. She was operated on the next day, the fragments were sawed smooth, and a

DIETARY TREATMENT OF PERNICIOUS ANEMIA

To the Editor: —The paper on the treatment of pernicious anemia by a special diet (The Journal, August 14, p. 470) recalls the advocacy of red bone marrow (which the authors state has the nutritional composition of liver and kidneys) by the late Francis Delafield, in the treatment of pernicious anemia. He used an extract of bone marrow, or had the butcher slice beef bones, which were then toasted and spread on bread. Bones prepared in this way could be made into a broth or jelly. Has pernicious anemia shown an increase in frequency with the diminution of meat eating? Some increase would be expected with present diagnostic methods. Years ago liver and bacon was a common breakfast, kidney stew a not unusual supper.

A Portion of Beef Bone Lodged in the Larynx for Nearly a Month, and Removed with Forceps

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