NEUROTOMY. 



Ill 



destroyed, and the hoof has actually dropped off after the division of the 

 nerve — every prejudice has been strengthened, and the operation has been 

 .censured and neglected. Now, although we have shown that every part 

 of the animal frame is dependent on nervous energy, we have also shown 

 that we do not and cannot, by this operation, injure those nerves on which 

 nutrition depends : — these are the ganglial nerves, which wind round the 

 arteries and veins, and their minutest branches, and enable them to discharge 

 their functions ; and they are not, and cannot be touched in the operation 

 of unnerving ; nor can the slightest portion of nutriment be taken away 

 from the limb. We divide only the nerve of sensation ; and if we have 

 used a little common sense, and considered whether it be a case that admits 

 of the operation, and will probably benefit by it, we shall give relief to him 

 who well deserves it, and will amply repay it. 



NERVE AND BRANCHEg OF THE LEG. 

 WITH THEIR LOCALITY, ETC. 



Nerve on the inside of the ofF-leg-, at the edge of the shank 



bone, and behind the nerve and artery. 

 Continuation of the same nerve on the pastern, and pro- 

 ceeding- downward to supply the back part of the foot 



with feeling'. 

 Division of the nerve on the fetlock joint. 

 Branch which supplies with feeling the fore-part of the 



foot. 

 Artery between the vein and nerve. 

 Continuation of the artery on the paatern, close to and 



before the nerve. 

 Vein before the artery and nerve. 

 Same vein spreading over the pastern. 

 One of the flexor tendons, the ptrforatus (perforated). 

 Deeper flexor tendon, the perforans (perforating, contained 



within the other). 

 Tendinous bands in which the flexors work. 

 One of the extensors of the foot. 

 Internal or sensible frog. 

 Posterior lateral ligament. 

 Fleshy or sensible lamina, covering the cofiBn-bone, the 



horny crust being removed. 

 Horny crust. 

 Sole. 



Our cut gives a view of the nerve on the inside, as it approaches the 

 fertlock, and goes over the pastern. It will be seen that branches are given 

 off above the fetlock, which go to the fore-part of the foot, and supply it 

 with feeling. The continuation of the nerve below the fetlock is given 

 principally to the quarters and hinder-part of the foot. The first consider 

 ation, then, with the operator is. Does he wish to deprive the whole of the 

 foot of sensation, or is the cause of lameness principally in the hinder-part 

 of the foot, so that he can leave some degree of feeling in the fore-part, and 

 prevent that alteration in the tread and going of the horse which the good 

 horseman immediately detects. 



The horse is cast and secured, and the limb to be operated on removed 

 from the hobbles, and extended — the liair having been previously shaved 

 fron: the part. The operator then feels for the throbbing of the artery, or 

 the round firm body of the nerve itself, on the side of the shank-bone, or 

 the larger pastern. The vein, artery, and nerve, here run close together; 

 the vein nearest to the front of the leg, then the artery, and the nerve 

 behind. He cautiously cuts through the skin, for an inch and a half in 



