254 VETERINARY SURGICAL TITERAPEUTICS. 
days, according to its size. It is better to have the amputation per- 
formed entirely by the ligature than to finish it with the bistoury: the 
wound heals quickly and leaves but a little cicatrix.’ 
Excision is frequently made with the bistoury, but it is often more 
difficult than at first thought, and often leaves a large wound. ‘The ani- 
mal having been thrown on the opposite side and the diseased leg carried 
forward, the region is shaved and disinfected. Two curved incisions 
meeting at their extremities are made on each side of the central axis 
of the tumor, circumscribing a flap of skin, which is removed with the 
mass. By careful dissection, avoiding injuries to the muscles, the anti- 
brachial aponeurosis or the head of the olecranon, the fibrous neoplasm is 
removed ; the edges of the wound are then brought together with silk or 
silkworm-gut, and the whole is covered with a collodion plaster or a dress- 
ing. 
By paying attention to antisepsis union by first intention may be 
obtained, though it is not to be greatly expected in ordinary practice. 
The patient should remain at rest from one to three weeks. In the. 
first days following the operation the animal should not be permitted to 
lie down. 
To resume, when the cause is removed recent capped elbows, cedematous 
or cystic, should be treated with antiphlogistics, astringents, the Weber 
preparation or blisters. Phlegmonous growths demand the same treatment 
as abscesses. Being indurated neoplasms, they ordinarily require the use 
of ligature or of the bistoury. 
Once cured, the return of the trouble is prevented by following the 
regulations given above. 
Large-sized dogs which have the habit of lying in a sternal position, 
with the elbows resting on the ground, are exposed to callosities of the 
skin of that region and inflammation of the olecranal bursa. When 
this enlarges it forms a rounded or ovoid tumor, fluctuating and some- 
times accompanied with inflammatory manifestations. In some cases the 
surrounding tissues become indurated. 
Whatever has been the growth of the tumor, and whether its contents 
be serous or sero-fibrinous, recovery is not easy to obtain. Puncture 
is insufficient and ligatures hold badly. The removal of the sac is the 
preferable method, performed aseptically without exposing the bone and 
then dressed with a wadded dressing. 
* Our experience with the use of the elastic ligature for the removal of these 
tumors justifies us in differing from the author in his conclusions. With us 
and many American veterinarians the wound has always been very slow in re- 
pairing and the cicatrix has been rather ugly. With Myers one case lasted 
from January to May before entirely healed, (Amer. Vet. Review, vol. xi., p, 
121.) 
