Dislocations of the costovertebral joints are surprisingly rare. Stimson, who had not seen one himself, found only ten recorded instances, all of which antedated the discovery of the roentgen rays. A review of the Index Catalogue of the Library of the Surgeon General's office, the Index Medicus, the Quarterly Cumulative Index Medicus and various surgeries added only two other cases. The fact that no cases have been reported since the discovery of the x-rays aroused our suspicion as to the rarity of the condition, but inquiry among a number of the principal orthopedic surgeons and roentgenologists of California revealed only one who thought he had seen a dislocated rib. It would seem patent, therefore, that the condition is indeed rare.
The following instance occurred in practice during the present year:
I. W. F., a man, aged 55, was riding on the left rear seat of a car when it overturned