PLANTAR NEURECTOMY. 



swollen, and the hoof partially loosened. Having to treat a horse 

 affected with ringbones, Palat performed high neurectomy on the side 

 of the larger bony growth, and a fortnight later on the other side. The 

 animal returned home, and continued working regularly for more than 

 a year. During the fifteenth month swelling of the coronet and 

 separation of the hoof were observed ; the animal had to be slaughtered. 

 Hendrickx reported three cases of loss of the hoof after high neurectomy. 

 In one the accident was deferred more than four years. Delamotte and 

 Brocheriou performed neurectomy first below and next above the fetlock, 

 in a mare suffering from navicular disease ; but the animal then deve- 

 loped ringbones, which they treated by firing. Six weeks later the 

 hoof was shed. 



All these cases refer to loss of the hoof after high double neurectomy, 

 but the same complication may result from section of one of the plantar 

 nerves above the fetlock. 



Here is an illustration made from a photograph showing the con- 

 dition of the near fore-foot of a horse in which, two years before, I had 

 divided the external plantar nerve above the fetlock. A very large 

 ringbone existed on this side. After five weeks' rest lameness dis- 

 appeared, and the animal was able to resume work. 



About six months ago lameness returned, and the coronet greatly 

 increased in size, in spite of which the horse was able to work until 

 the commencement of the present month. As the lameness and 

 swelling of the coronet had by that time become ver}- marked, the 

 animal was left in hospital for treatment. 



No weight was placed on the near fore-limb, which was half fiexed, 

 and from time to time convulsively lifted, suggesting lancinating pains. 

 The lower parts of the limb, from the middle of the forearm, were 

 greatly swollen. The coronet showed a diffuse, hard, warm, slightly 

 painful swelling, particularly marked on the outer side, at \\hich point 

 the thin upper edge of the hoof was softened and detached from the 

 enlarged and inflamed coronary band. All the outer quarter of the 

 hoof was separated. Along the plantar commissure the horn was 

 softened and yellowish. The strictest examination of the foot revealed 

 no recent injury. 



Treatment was by continued irrigation, but as the separation of the 

 wall steadily continued, and in a few days extended as far as the toe, the 

 case was considered incurable, and the horse was slaughtered. 



On dissecting the foot, the skin and subcutaneous connective tissue 

 were found greatly thickened and indurated ; the coronar}- band was 

 double its ordinary size, and along the entire external quarter the wall 

 was separated. The posterior branch of the external plantar nerve was 



