326 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERV. 



a silk thread under it, raise it a small degree, and then 

 dissect it from the cellular tissue beneath ; and when fairly 

 felt, cut out about a quarter of an inch of it, making the 

 first incision above, and the second cut will not be felt by the 

 animal at all. The same must be performed on either side 

 of the foot, as the nerves proceed down both sides. Tine 

 sides of the wound are now brought together with a piece 

 of adhesive plaster, and secured by a bandage. The head 

 must then be tied up for a day or two. In less than a 

 fortnight the horse will be fit for work. 



The operation of cutting the nerve may also prove of 

 service for ring-bone, where the side cartilages become 

 ossified, with partial stiffness of the pastern and cofiin- 

 joints. They will be more liable to recover their usual 

 action in consequence of the animal using the foot freely, 

 as he will not feel pain while in motion. Neurotomy may 

 also prove of much advantage in long-continued lameness, 

 where no unusual heat is discoverable, nor contraction or 

 alteration in its form can be perceived ; neither will the 

 extremely acute pain caused by the pressure of the horny 

 crust on the sensible parts be longer felt, and the animal 

 will be able to place his foot firmly and fully upon the 

 ground : all appearance of lameness will be removed, and 

 the ultimate result will be a partial restoration at least of 

 the form and elasticity of the foot. 



The above are some of the benefits which will be derived 

 from neurotomy ; but there are other cases where cutting the 

 nerve would be attended with unfavourable results. When 

 the pastern or coffin-joints are quite stiff and unyielding, if 

 this operation were performed, the animal would naturally 

 bring his foot to the ground with force, and the joints being 

 divested of their natural elastic play, the bone would be 

 still more in^'ured. In inflammation or ulceration of the 



