DISEASES AND INJURIES OF THE LEGS. 



211 



horse stands with his foot and limb thrown outwards. This he does to 

 prevent, as much as possible, the injured parts being pressed upon by 

 the pectoral muscles, and when the triceps is the seat of the injury, the 

 forearm is flexed upon the humerus; the action of the flexor brachii 

 being now unopposed, the knee is elevated, the leg flexed from the kne^'. 

 downwards, the toe of the foot touching the ground, and the limb semi- 

 pendulous. When the horse is made to move, he drops considerably, and 

 seems in danger of falling at every step he takes, the limb itself almost 

 bending double when any weight is thrown upon it. This excessive 

 dropping, during progression, in characteristic of elbow- joint lameness, 

 even when there are no external signs, such as heat, swelling, or pain, 

 visible. Fig. 109 gives the anatomy of the joint. 



Fig. 109, 

 Posterior view of left elbow joint. 



A. Inferior third of the humerus. 



B. B. External and internal condyles. 



C. Olecranon process of ulna. 



D. Radius. 



1 . External lateral ligament. 



2. Internal lateral ligament. 



3. 3. Fibro-cart^'aginous substance unit- 



ing the ulna to the radius. 



Treatment. — Frequent fomentations with warm or not water in 

 which a little laudanum may be poured. In a day or two, cold applications 

 may be made, oi* they may be made from the outset if preferred. 



A full dose of six grains of aloes may be given. The swelling may 

 be afterwards treated by rubbing with: 



