342 



The elbovr, tbo kuee, anrl the hock are the principal parts of the body 

 where these lesions are ordinarily found, and on account of their pecu- 

 liar shape and the position they occupy they have received the de- 

 nomination of being capped. "We shall consider them in their jieculiar 

 aspect. 



Capped elbow. — The shoe boil, commonly so called, is almost too well 

 known to require a definition from us. An enlargement at the point of 

 the elbow is the lesion, so called, which is simply the result of pressure 

 of the heels of the shoe upon that part. There are, of course, some 

 conditions necessary for the development of the shoe boil, and for the 

 pressure of the heels upon the spot where it occurs. Excessive length 

 in the shoe and a formation of the animal with a cannon bone so long 

 that the flexure of the knee brings the heel in contact with the elbow, 

 may be termed the predisposing causes, but to these must be added 

 another necessary- condition in the peculiar mode of resting adopted by 

 the affected animal, as exhibited in his manner of lying down, which is 

 that of the cow, by resting upon the breastbone with the legs flexed 

 under the body — a most eligible and natural jiosture for eff"ecting the 

 result which follows. 



The heel just pressing against the elbow, the hard iron of the shoe in 

 contact with the soft skin, with the weight of the body added, forms 

 a combination of causes which can not well fail to i^roduce the bruise 

 which in fact does follow, and which soon afterwards becomes charac- 

 terized by a variety of sj'mptoms — for a capped elbow does not always 

 exhibit the same aspect. In one case, there is simply a bruise, with 

 symptoms of inflammation more or less marked or severe. The parts 

 will be swollen, sometimes enormously, with heat and pain, the swell- 

 ing not only covering the point of the elbow, but sometimes reaching 

 the axilla, and assuming such proportions that there is great difiSculty 

 in using the leg, the animal showing signs of lameness even to the ex- 

 tent of the circumflex step, as in shoulder lameness. This cedematous 

 condition, however, does not remain stationary. It may by degrees 

 subside or perhaps disappear. In the first instance it will become more 

 distinctly defined, with better marked boundaries, until it is reduced to 

 a soft, round, fluctuating tumor, with or without heat or pain. There is 

 then either a bloody or serous tumor or a purulent collection, and fol- 

 lowing the puncture of its walls with the knife there will be an escape 

 of blood, of serum, or of pus, as the case may be, in variable quantities. 

 In^ither case, but principally in that of the cystic form, the tumor will 

 be found to be subdivided by septums or bands running in various 

 directions. 



Various changes will follow the opening of the tumor aud the escapo 

 of its contents. In a majority of cases, the process of cicatrization will 

 take place, and the cavity fill up by granulation, the discharge, at first 

 abundant, gradually diminishing and the wound closing, usually with- 

 out leaving any mark. At times, however, and especially if the disease 



