CAUDAL MYOTOMY. 



301 



kept as in the other methods, the operator makes on the middle 

 of one of the projecting- muscles a longitudinal incision, three or 

 four inches long, dividing at one stroke the skin and the fascia 

 underneath. From the muscle thus exposed, a j^ortion is dissect- 

 ed, and by i:»assing the bistoury under it, close to the vertebrse, it 

 is removed b}^ cutting- it transversely at both extremities of the 

 cutaneous incision. The removal of the muscle is made first on 

 one, then on the other side of the median line. 



3d. Operations by Mixed Incisions. — This was devised by 

 Vatel, who made two transversal incisions on each side of the tail, 

 from thi-ee to foiu' inches apart, and uniting those of the same 

 side by a longitudinal incision, made in the direction of each in- 

 ferior caudal muscle, and then dissecting a portion of each organ 

 with the aid of a bistoury, or a pair of scissors, securing a hold at 

 one end with a pair of forceps, or a j^ointed tenaculum. 



The method patronized by Brog- 

 niez, and recommended by Belgian 

 veterinarians, requires two special in- 

 struments: the caudal dermatome, 

 which is used for the division of the 

 skin, and the caudal myotome for 

 that of the muscles. The operation 

 is . minutely described by Director 

 Degives, and includes the following 

 stejDS : 



Two or three incisions are made 

 on the prominent part of the muscle, 

 parallel to its long axis, the first 

 about two fingers' width from the 

 base of the tail, a space of about half 

 an inch being left between each in- 

 cision. These incisions are made with the dermatome, pressed 

 perpendicularly over the tissues to be divided. The two lower 

 incisions are first made, then the two middle ones, and the two 

 upper ones last. By this process the skin and subcutaneous fascia 

 are divided. The myotome is then introduced under the muscle, 

 from within outward, and after twisting it around the organ, di- 

 vides it by turning the instrument so as to bring its sharp edge 

 against the muscular tissue. Thus divided, the muscles protrude 

 through the incision, and are then excised in the usual way. 



Fig. 317.— Operation ny Mixed In- 

 cisions (Vatel's method) 



