530 
INFLAMMATION OF THE ELBOW-JOINT. 
apparatus of the joint—the strong lateral ligaments and beak of the 
ulna. Hertwig insists that in carnivora both complete and incomplete 
displacement may occur in the elbow-joint, and either inwardly or out¬ 
wardly, without fracture. Moller only saw such displacements as 
congenital conditions, occurring simultaneously in both limbs, and 
associated with deformity both of the elbow- and knee- joints. The 
animals are generally killed as hopeless cripples. 
The diagnosis of displacement is not difficult, as there is always 
extensive rupture of soft tissues. 
Prognosis and course. In carnivora, cases do well provided they are 
treated early and the joint is not involved. The mule and one of the 
horses above mentioned are said to have recovered after reduction of the 
luxation, but the statements require confirmation. Congenital luxation 
is unpromising, and in direct proportion to the amount of deformity 
present. Even if the bones can be replaced, retention is very difficult, 
and treatment can scarcely be advised. 
Treatment. Reposition and retention are effected under anaesthesia 
and in accordance with general principles. In carnivora, the joint may 
be supported by plaster bandages ; in large animals this is impracticable. 
IY.—INFLAMMATION OF THE ELBOW-JOINT. 
Acute inflammation of the elbow-joint is seen in all species of animals, 
sometimes from wounds of the joint, sometimes from metastatic disease, 
like “navel-ill” of young animals. In dogs the joint may be opened 
by bites, in horses by kicks or by injuries from stable-forks. Disease 
may also be caused by injury to the sheath of the flexor metacarpi 
externus, which communicates with the elbow-joint. Franck states that 
the sheath always opens into the elbow-joint by a slit about 1 line in 
breadth. Lothes saw chronic inflammation of the elbow-joint in a horse, 
apparently produced in the first instance by an injury to this sheath. 
Lanzillotti treated a horse which suffered from necrosis of the radius in 
consequence of a kick. During operation for removal of the sequestrum the 
elbow-joint was opened, but under antiseptic treatment healing occurred. 
Chronic inflammation of the joint is rare. Roloff noticed fungous 
arthritis of the elbow-joint in the horse ; Dammann, a cystenchondroma. 
As a rule, tumour formation is not frequent. Arthritis chronica is diffi¬ 
cult to diagnose with certainty, and is generally included in “shoulder 
lameness.” 
Percival noted a form of chronic lameness in the horse which pre¬ 
sented considerable resemblance to laminitis. Post-mortem showed 
chronic inflammation of both elbow-joints, a portion of the articular 
surface being worn away and covered with granulations. 
Symptoms. Acute inflammation of the elbow-joint due to wounds 
