88 NEUROTOMY. 



Operation of nerving will probably be beneficial. The sense 

 of pain being taken away, the animal will use these parts more, 

 and they will gradually recover their natural action and motion. 

 For the same reason, in old contraction cf 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 par- 

 tially restored. Where lameness has long existed, unattended 

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

 which could not be ascertained, although probably existing be- 

 tween the navicular bone and the back tendon that 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 stifi^, because the concussion occa- 

 sioned 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 convex or pum- 

 iced, the efiect of neurotomy will be most destructive. The sole 

 scarcely able to bear the pressure of the coffin-bone, even when 

 pain induces the animal to put his foot as gently as possible 

 on the ground, being forced below its natural situation, would 

 be speedily 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 jubjected ; and more especially would this be the case, if 

 there was any ulceration of the ligaments or cartilages. 



The unfettered shoe of Mr. Turner being adopted, at least so 

 far as we can have it unfettered — attached to the foot on one 

 side alone, and the inner quarter being left free — ^the foot 

 gradually regains its original healthy form, and when, in pro 

 cess of time, a new portion of nerve is produced, and the sensi 

 bility of the foot re-established, the horse continues to be sound. 

 To some extent, immediate good effect is produced as it regards 

 the actual disease. We remove that general constitutional ir- 

 ritability which long-continued pain occasions, and which height- 

 ens and perpetuates local disease. We obtain for the patient 

 an interval of repose, and every local ailment soon subsides or 

 disappears, and the whole constitution becomes invigorated. 



Mr. Percival relates the case of a mare with contracted feet, 

 that was never subject to periodical CEstrum, and would not 

 breed— and an incompetent stallion, with some disease of the 

 feet — both of which procreated freely after being subjected to 

 the operation of neurotomy. 



Neurotomy having been performed, the veterinary surgeon 

 jvill attempt to remove the original cause of the pain, and re 



