8G LAMENESS OF THE HORSE 



degree of injury, prognosis is favorable and recovery ordinarily 

 follows in the course of a few weeks' treatment. 



In cases of arthritis due to penetrative wounds (because of 

 the important function of this joint and its large capsule, which 

 when intlamed discharges synovia in a manner that closure of 

 such an open joint is seldom possible) a very grave condition 

 results. 



Treatment. — Inflammation of the elbow, such as is frequently 

 seen in general practice where horses are turned out together 

 and exposed to kicks and other injuries, yields to treatment 

 readily, if an open joint does not exist. 



Hot packs supported in contact with the elbow and kept around 

 the inflamed articulation for a few days, materially decrease pain 

 and tend to reduce inflammation. The subject must be kept 

 quiet in a comfortable stall and, if necessary, a sling used. 

 Where it is impossible for the animal to support much weight 

 with the injured member the sling should be employed. 



As inflammation abates, which it does in the course of from 

 one to three weeks in uncomplicated cases, the subject may be 

 allowed the freedom of a comfortable box stall. Vesication of 

 the parts is in order, and this may be repeated in the course of 

 two weeks, if it is deemed necessary. 



Penetrative wounds resulting in open joint are not treated 

 with success as a rule, and because of the handicap under which 

 veterinarians labor, methods of handling such cases, where large, 

 important articulations are affected, are not being rapidly im- 

 proved. Prognosis is usually unfavorable, and for humane and 

 economic reasons, animals so affected should be destroyed. 



Ordinary wounds of the region of the elbow are treated along 

 general lines usually employed. They merit no special consid- 

 eration, except that it may be mentioned that with such injuries 

 concomitant contusion of the parts occasions injury that does 

 not recover quickly. 



Fracture of the Ulna. 



Etiology and Occurrence. — Fractures of the ulna in the horse 

 are not connuon in s|)ite of the exposed position of the olecranon. 

 This bone when broken, is usually fractured by heavy blows 



