=DISLOCATION OF THE ELBOW.=--This is more frequent in children, and is
usually produced by a fall on the outstretched hand. The elbow is
thrown out of joint, so that the forearm is displaced backward on the
arm, in the more usual form of dislocation. The elbow joint is swollen
and generally held slightly bent, but cannot be moved to any extent
without great pain. The tip of the elbow projects at the back of the
joint more than usual, while at the front of the arm the distance
between the wrist and the bend of the elbow is less than that of the
sound arm. (See cut, p. 126.)

[Illustration: FIG. 31.

Above cut shows characteristic appearance of a dislocated shoulder;
note loss of fullness; also elbow held away from side and inward
sloping of arm.

FIG. 32.

DISLOCATED ELBOW AND SHOULDER.

(AMERICAN TEXT-BOOK.)

Fig. 32 shows dislocation of elbow backward; note swollen condition of
left elbow held slightly bent; also the projection of back of joint.]

For further proof that the elbow is out of joint we must compare the
relations of three points in each elbow. These are the two bony
prominences on each side of the joint (belonging to the bone of the
arm above the elbow) and the bony prominence that forms the tip of the
elbow which belongs to the bone of the forearm.

[Illustration: FIG. 33.

TREATMENT OF DISLOCATED ELBOW (SCUDDER).

Note padded right-angled tin splint; also three strips of surgeon's
plaster on arm and forearm.]

In dislocation backward of the forearm, the tip of the elbow is
observed to be farther back, in relation to the two bony prominences
at the side of the joint, than is the case in the sound elbow. This is
best ascertained by touching the three points on the patient's elbow
of each arm in turn with the thumb and middle finger on each of the
prominences on the side of the joint, while the forefinger is placed
on the tip of the elbow. The lower end of the bone of the upper arm
is often seen and felt very easily just above the bend of the elbow in
front, as it is thrown forward (see Fig. 32, p. 126).

Fracture of the lower part of the bone of the arm above the elbow
joint may present much the same appearance as the dislocation we are
describing, but then the whole elbow is displaced backward, and the
relation of the three points described above is the same in the
injured as in the uninjured arm. Moreover in fracture the deformity,
when relieved, will immediately recur when the arm is rel