112 THE HORSE. 



length. The vessels will then be brought into view, and the nerve will be 

 distinguished from them, by its being behind, and by its whiteness. \ 

 crooked needle, with silk, is passed under it, to raise it a little ; it is dis- 

 sected from the cellular substance beneath, and about three-quarters of an 

 inch of it cut out ; the first incision being made at the upper part, in which 

 case the second cut will not be felt. The horse must then be turned, and 

 the operation performed on the other side, for there is a nervous trunk on 

 both sides. The wounds are now closed with strips of adhesive-plaster, a 

 bandage placed over them, the head tied up for two days, and the animal 

 kept rather low, and as quiet as possible. The incisions will generally 

 rapidly heal, and in three weeks or a month, and sometimes earlier, the 

 horse will be fit for work. 



For ring-bone : — the side cartilages becoming bony, and partial stiffness 

 of the pastern and cofliin-joints, the operation of nerving will probably be 

 useful. The sense of pain being taken away, the animal will use these 

 parts more, and partly recover their natural action and motion. For the 

 same reason, in old contraction of the feet, it is highly beneficial. The 

 torture occasioned by the pressure of the horny crust on the sensible parts 

 within being no longer felt, and the foot coming fully and firmly in contact 

 with the ground, not only is lameness relieved, but the elasticity and form 

 of the foot partially restored. Where there has long existed lameness, 

 unattended with heat of the foot or alteration of shape, and the seat of 

 which could not be ascertained, although probably existing between the 

 shuttle-bone and the back tendon which plays over it, neurotomy may be 

 resorted to with decided advantage. 



Mischief, however, will result from the operation if the pastern or coffin 

 joints are perfectly stiff, because the concussion occasioned by the forcible 

 contact of the foot with the ground, and unbroken by the play of the joints, 

 must necessarily still more injure the bone. When the sole of the foot is con- 

 vex or pumiced, the effect of neurotomy will be most destructive. The sole, 

 scarcely able to bear the pressure of the coffin-bone forced below its natural 

 situation, even when pain induces the animal to put his foot as gently as 

 possible on the ground, would now be probably worn through and destroyed. 

 So if inflammation existed, although its pain might be removed, yet its 

 progress would be quickened by the bruising to which the parts might be 

 subjected, and more especially would this be the case if there were any ulcer- 

 ation of the ligaments or cartilages. How many cases will this include ! To 

 how many poor coach and cart-horses and hackneys might some years of 

 usefulness and enjoyment thus be added ! 



The value of the operation, or the unpleasant consequences which may 

 follow from it, depend upon the judgment of the surgeon ; and that judg- 

 ment being duly exercised, we regard this operation as one of the most 

 important discoveries in horse practice in modern times. 



DISEASES OF THE EYE. 



The diseases of the eye constitute a very important, but a most unsatis- 

 factory division of our work; for the maladies of this organ, although few 

 in number, are frequent in their appearance; they are sadly obstinate, and 

 baffle all skill. The eve of the horse appears to be naturally more disposed 

 to disease than that of any other animal with which we are acquainted ; 

 and most assuredly there is no domestic animal, the treatment of whose 

 diseases is so much at vai'iance with common sense. 



We have spoken of Fracture of the orbit, and its treatment. Occa- 

 sionally av/ouND is inflicted by a passionate or careless servant. The ey« 



