RESECTION OF FLEXOR PEDIS PERFORANS TENDON. 1055 



straw bedding must be given, and the dressing moistened five or 

 six times a day. 



To sum up, the object of treatment is, to confine the inflammation 

 to the point of injury, for which purpose it is necessary to keep the 

 parts thoroughly clean, to avoid retention of pus or wound discharge 

 and prevent extension of infection. 



When pain decreases, a dry dressing is sufficient ; and as soon as 

 inflammation or suppuration stops, a splint dressing can be applied to 

 protect the soft parts, which are only covered with a very thin layer 

 of horn. The sole is smeared with tar and covered with tow, which 

 is retained by means of two hoop -iron splints placed one over the 

 other in the form of a cross, with their ends thrust under the shoe. 

 Provided the roads are dry, the horse can work with this protection, 

 but in wet weather it is better to give a few days' further rest in 

 the stable. 



When suppuration is confined to a portion of the fibro-fatty frog, 

 precautions should be taken against further infection and retention of 

 pus, which would lead to diffuse cellulitis of the whole structure. 



In cases where the perforans tendon and its bursa are still intact, 

 it is sometimes useful to scrape out the wound with a curette. This 

 removes the infected granulation tissue which forms rapidly and 

 constitutes an obstacle to the escape of wound discharge. After 

 sponging out with chloride of zinc solution, a tampon, moistened 

 with the same fluid, is thrust into the wound, and a dressing 

 applied. 



Disease of the perforans tendon can in general only be cured by 

 resection. The procedure is as follows : — On the day preceding 

 operation, the sole, frog, and especially the bars, are very thoroughly 

 thinned, the foot is scraped, washed and cleansed, the hair clipped 

 carefully away as high as the fetlock, and the limb immersed for an 

 hour in a bucket of strong disinfecting solution. Whilst immersed 

 it is subjected to a thorough scrubbing with a clean stiff brush. 

 Immediately after removal the foot and hoof must be completely 

 enveloped in clean cloths saturated with a disinfecting solution. 



Next day the horse is cast. The affected foot is released, the sole, 

 frog, and bars still further thinned, and the sensitive frog is exposed 

 so as to allow any necrotic portions either of the frog or tendon to be 

 removed. An Esmarch's bandage is then applied to the limb, com- 

 mencing at the coronet and extending to above the knee, at which 

 point a stout rubber cord under tension is passed several times round 

 the limb and the ends tied together. This secures the operator 

 against troublesome bleeding. The foot to be operated on may then 



