258 XAYIN ox THE HORSE. 



joint, make an incision through the skin, about an inch and a 

 half in length, following the course of the artery. The white 

 or cellular tissue covering the vessels and nerve may then be 

 carefully dissected back, or cut through, until the nerve, which 

 lies close to the artery, can be seen. It will be known by its 

 whiteness. A curved needle, threaded, is then passed under 

 it, and drawn through until the nerve can be raised by the 

 thread. A knife is then passed under it, and it is cut in two. 

 The lower end of the nerve is then caught wdth a pair of 

 forceps, and about three-fourths of an inch cut off. The wound 

 is then closed by sutures, (stitches), and a light bandage put 

 round the limb, and kept wet with water. The horse should 

 then be turned and the other side of the limb operated on. 

 If the operation is to be performed on both feet, first operate 

 on the inside of the lower foot, and then on the outside of the 

 upper one. Then turn the horse, and operate on the other 

 sides of the feet. Then keep the horse tied up until well, and 

 -on a soft dirt floor. Any person with some skill may perform 

 this operation, but it would be best to find a dead animal and 

 •operate on it first, to learn the practical part. 



The effect of this operation is to destroy the sensibility or 

 feeling of the foot. By this means a disease of the foot which 

 •caused the horse much pain and lameness is entirely unnoticed 

 by him ; for feeling is destroyed in the foot, and he walks on it 

 as if nothing were the matter. It is as dumb as a wooden 

 leg. A horse that was utterly useless, on account of lame- 

 .ness, may be restored to considerable service by this operation. 

 It does not cure the disease; it only renders the horse insensi- 

 ble of its existence. 



The operation is not to be performed during the acute or 

 inflammatory stage of any disease of the foot. Inflammation 

 .should be entirely removed before operating. Accidents may 

 .attend this operation, rendering it of no avail, and even de- 

 .stroying the horse more than the disease would have done. 

 Jj'or is a horse so safe and sure-footed after it as a sound horse. 



