The advantages of internal fixation of fractures of the intracapsular neck of the femur as compared with less satisfactory methods of immobilization formerly widely used are acknowledged by most orthopedic surgeons and by those general or traumatic surgeons who are sufficiently trained in the discipline of aseptic surgery and the principles of the healing of fractures to be able to apply with skill and judgment one of the many widely described technics. The confusion today is concerned primarily with the fact that each of many surgeons has designed, used and recommended his own variation of wire, pin, screw or gadget for maintaining position after reduction of a fracture of the femoral neck. Much of the widespread interest in internal fixation of fractures of the hip must be credited to Smith-Petersen,1who described, used successfully and popularized the three-flanged nail. The average incidence of union from all methods of internal