1. The factors producing electrolytic corrosion of stainless steels are reviewed, and it is shown how several factors operating together can accentuate corrosion in certain positions in the plated fracture.

2. These factors can be minimised by good metallurgy and good engineering on the part of the manufacturers.

3. When and if materials become metallurgically satisfactory, or a truly inert substitute for metal is discovered, it will be possible to assess the true contribution of infection, faulty operative technique and mechanical factors to the failures of internal fixation. Such a critical assessment of these probably more important factors is at present bedevilled by uncertainty as to the purely physical condition of the materials as supplied to the surgeon.