.8o THE SURGICAL ANATOMY OF THE HORSE 



of the incision the nerve is not seen, since it is covered by the layer of 

 deep fascia. This should be seized with the forceps and drawn gently 

 towards the operator, and a similar incision carried through it. By 

 separating the lips of this second incision the nerve is brought into view, 

 and may be readily brought out through the cutaneous incision, on the 

 tenaculum. Should there be any difficulty this part of the operation will 

 be greatly facilitated by applying a little pressure with the finger on the 

 opposite side of the limb. The nerve is thus pressed towards the operator. 

 The nerve is easily dissected clear of the surrounding tissue. It is unneces- 

 sary to remove much fascia, as frequently recommended, since this only 

 leaves a larger gap to be filled up during the healing process, and, more- 

 over, there is a greater tendency for the proximal end of the divided 

 nerve to become fixed in the new tissue which forms near the cutaneous 

 wound, and for the formation of a neuroma on the nerve in consequence 

 of the irritation to which it is subjected. When the fascia is simply 

 slit, after the excision of the necessary portion (about an inch) of the 

 nerve the proximal end falls back into position and remains beneath the 

 fascia. One or two simple interrupted sutures should now be inserted 

 in the cutaneous wound, and the animal allowed to rise. Periodical 

 applications of dry antiseptic dressing and the removal of the sutures 

 in two or three days are now all that is necessary. 



THE MUSCULO-CUTANEOUS NERVE 



This is a nerve of considerable length, and is one of the two terminal 

 divisions of the external popliteal nerve. It commences where the latter 

 nerve divides on the outer aspect of the stifle, about an inch and a half 

 behind the external lateral ligament, and usually on a level with the outer 

 fibro-cartilaginous disc. 



It takes a course which is obliquely downwards and forwards, running 

 for a very short distance on the outer head of the gastrocnemius. Leaving 



