PLANTAR NEURECTOMY. 87 



diminishes or entirely removes the lameness for a time, and thus 

 allows the animals to be used. The duration of its effects is very 

 variable. Sometimes the lameness returns in a few months, sometimes 

 only after years. Cases occur when, for example, the morbid changes 

 have arrived at their final stage of development, and the inflammation 

 which caused them has ceased, in which it never returns. 



From the practical standpoint, neurectomy is a valuable operation 

 when performed with a full knowledge of the state to be treated, and 

 when judiciously employed. Had it not done signal service it would 

 long ago have been abandoned, because it certainly entails the possi- 

 bility of serious accidents. 



I need only remind you of the permanent weakness of the limb on 

 which neurectomy has been performed, the first objection made to the 

 operation. After neurectomy, it has been said, movement of the limb is 

 less assured, and the animal is liable to stumble and fall. This must 

 be conceded, but such accidents only occur in a small number of cases, 

 even after high neurectomy. Two Army Veterinary Surgeons, MM. 

 Jacoulet and Comeny, who kept animals on which they had operated 

 under prolonged observation, published cases showing that as a general 

 rule neurectomy does not render troopers unsafe to ride, nor prevent 

 them placing full weight on the limb. In a large number of my own 

 cases the results have been excellent. Six years ago I performed high 

 neurectomy on the off fore-leg in an English mare, which has since done 

 continuous saddle work, without ever showing the least hesitation in 

 the action of the limb. From time to time I have seen a horse in 

 which I performed low neurectomy oa the near fore-leg four years ago. 

 It recovered perfectly, has not since gone lame, and has in no way lost 

 control over its movements. 



Another, much graver drawback is the danger of inflammatory and 

 trophic changes developing in the tissues formerly supplied by the 

 divided nerve. These may occur soon after operation, or ma}- be 

 delayed, and usually end in loss of the hoof, or rupture of the flexor 

 tendons. Though comparatively few accidents of this kind have been 

 recorded, many have undoubtedly happened. 



Sewell, who first practised high double neurectomy, had so many 

 complications of this nature soon after operation, that he abandoned 

 the method, and practised low neurectomy alone. Rabouille, among 

 seven cases, had two of separation of the hoof. Renault, Beugnot, 

 Delafosse, Delafond, and Verheyen, operating like the preceding 

 authors above the fetlock, had similar accidents. Stanley only reports 



