SUPERFICIAL EXAMINATION 



3 



the summit of the olecranon process, and are the great extensors of the 

 elbow. The marked convexity of these muscles should be observed, since 

 in advanced cases of radial paralysis or " dropped elbow," in place of the 

 convexity we have a marked depression, due to the fact that these muscles 

 have become atrophied. 



What is commonly known as the " point " of the elbow corresponds 

 to the position of the summit of the olecranon process of the ulna. The 

 elbow joint is placed from three to four inches downwards and forwards 

 from this point, varying, of course, according to the size of the animal, 

 and is indicated externally by a slight depression. It will be observed 

 that there is an almost entire absence of muscular tissue on the outer 

 aspect of the joint, which is here therefore very badly protected, a fact 

 which renders it necessary to treat wounds in the neighbourhood of the 

 joint with great care ; otherwise an open arthritis of the joint is a very 

 liable complication. 



Passing the hand down the front of the forearm, a very prominent 

 and well-defined elevation is felt. This raised surface corresponds to the 

 bellies of two muscles, the more anterior of which is the extensor meta- 

 carpi magnus, whilst the other is the extensor pedis. Behind the 

 extensor pedis is placed the flexor metacarpi externus muscle, which is 

 indicated externally by a slight and elongated elevation. Between these 

 two muscles is situate the extensor suffraginis muscle, which does not 

 provide any superficial marking, since it is wedged in somewhat tightly 

 between the two muscles named. The tendons of the extensor pedis 

 and extensor metacarpi magnus run over the front of the knee after 

 having passed through the two vertical grooves on the anterior aspect of 

 the inferior extremity of the radius, whilst that of the extensor suffra- 

 ginis passes through a groove on the outer side of the inferior extremity 

 of this bone. The tendon of the flexor metacarpi externus will be found 

 to terminate just above the knee and on its postero-external aspect, where 

 we feel a well-marked, hard ridge. This ridge corresponds to the upper 

 border of the pisiform bone, and it should be remarked that this edge of 



