DISEASES OF THE BURSA MUCOSA 



357 



the two ends should be sewed together by means of catgut or silk, and 

 the joint should be covered by a splint, plaster or silicate of soda, so as to 

 hold it imniova])le. "Where there is no injur}^ to the skin, l)ut a rupture 

 of the tendon, a splint should be put on and the leg held in the normal 



Fig. 116. — Dog with elbow boil (hygroma). 



position for at east two weeks. If this is not successful the skin should 

 be opened over the lacerated tendon, the ends freshened by scarification 

 and united by a stitch. This is generally successful. 



Hygroma of the Elbow. — Large heavy dogs, particularly mastiffs, 

 St. Bernards and Great Danes, have a habit, when recumbent, of lying 

 on the point of the elbow, causing pressure and a gradual thickening 

 and swelling of the skin and frequently serofibrinous inflammation of 

 the bursa olecrani. This is shown in a round oval protuberance at the 

 elbow, varying in size from a hazel nut to a goose egg. It is generally hot, 

 painful and frequently fluctuating and contains a cpantity of serous 

 sometimes serofibrinous fluid (Fig. 116). As it is a great eye-sore, 

 affecting the appearance of the animal and at the same time interfering 

 more or less with the animal when in a. recumbent position it generahy 

 is emptied by making an incision in a dependant part of the serous 

 sac, and heals very rapidly with local treatment. It is very apt, however, 

 either to fill up again as soon as the opening closes, or to leave more or 

 less thickening of the skin or a hard fibrinous mass. If, however, it fills 

 up again it should be injected with dilute tincture of iodine, or Lugol 's 



