By nearly universal consent this single straight incision is now used, and when it is properly dressed and _drained_ gives admirable results. A single vertical incision (Plate III. fig. D.) without any transverse one, as long ago recommended by Chassaignac, is, in most cases, quite sufficient to give access. It is most suitable in cases of anchylosis, where there is little deposit of new bone, or in cases of disease of the joint, accompanied with little swelling or thickening of surrounding tissues. It has the advantage of avoiding the cicatrix of a transverse incision, which doubtless may, if at all a broad one, somewhat interfere with the future flexion of the limb, but, on the other hand, unless care is taken, it does _not_ give such free egress for the discharge, and when there is much delay in healing, the vertical incision may leave a cicatrix nearly as troublesome as the other. The following modification, suggested and practised by the late Mr. Maunder, seems to be a step in the right direction when it is practicable. "After a longitudinal incision crossing the point of the olecranon I next let the knife sink into the triceps muscle, and divide it longitudinally into two portions, the inner one of which is the more firmly attached to the ulna, while the outer portion is continuous with the anconeus muscle, and sends some tendinous fibres to blend with the fascia of the fore-arm. It is these latter fibres that are to be scrupulously preserved. "Two points have to be remembered: first, the ulnar nerve, often unseen, must be lifted from its bed, and carried over the internal condyle to a safe place, and then the outer portion of the triceps muscle with its tendinous prolongation, the fascia of the fore-arm and the anconeus muscle must be dissected up, as it were, in one piece, sufficiently to allow of its being temporarily carried out over the external condyle of the humerus."[55] This method aids in retaining the power of _active_ extension of the elbow-joint.