— 365 — 



— hence he gets excited, and efforts are made to empty the bowels 

 of their contents. The harnessing or saddling should be the last 

 thing done before going out with such a horse, as it gives him no 

 time to empty the bowels and become excited. Ten grains of 

 0})ium, and a drachm or two of prepared chalk may be given, 

 either half an hour before going out, or after he comes in. Such 

 horses are more pleasant to drive, if this be given. Stuffing cotton 

 or wool in the ears also has a good effect. 



Neurotomy. — An operation for dividing the nerves of feeling, 

 as they enter the foot on both sides of the leg. The operation is 

 performed for the purpose of removing pain from the foot in navi- 

 cular disease. It has, however, of late years fallen into disrepute 

 on account of ignorant men operating indiscriminately on feet of 

 all forms and shapes alike — in consequence of which no surprise 

 should have been expressed, when in some cases the feet ulti- 

 mately fell off. 



Neurotomy should never be performed upon flat and weak- 

 footed horses, as they are easily bruised, and suppuration is set up, 

 terminating in separation of the outer and inner foot structures. 

 Weak and flat-footed horses, when sound, are careful how they 

 j^ut their feet upon hard roads and paved streets; but when de- 

 prived of all feeling by the operation of neurotomy, they let their 

 feet come down on the ground with great force, so as to injure 

 them, resulting as before stated, in the hoof falling off. 



Nose, Diseases of the. — (See Cold, Catarrh, and Bronchitis.) 



Numbness. — Loss of feeling in any part, usually indicating 

 disease of the brain, resulting in paralysis or palsy. 



Obesity. — This is a term applied to morbid or unhealthy fat- 

 ness. When this condition is in the mesentery, it produces big 

 belly ; in the liver, fatty liver ; in the heart, fatty degeneration of 

 that organ. 



Causes. Little or no work, or exercise disproportionate between 

 the amount of food taken and the waste. 



Treatment. Constant and regular work ; feed, in small bulk, oats 

 instead of corn, and much hay. To animals inclining to take on 

 too much fat and flesh, give a dose of physic (see Aloes, Med- 

 icines and Prescriptions), occasionall}^, but do not bleed. 



CEdema. — A term signifying soft but not inflammatory swell- 



