522 OPERATIONS ON THE CIECULATORY SYSTEM. 



can be gained. But it is not a matter of indifference whether the 

 puncture is made in front or behind, or upon the sides of the re- 

 gion. It must never be made on the sides, because of the danger 

 of injuring the cartilage, several cases of cartilaginous quittor 

 having been known which were attributable to no other cause than 

 bleeding on the side of the coronet. In front the operation is less 

 dangerous, although a wound of the tendon of the anterior exten- 

 sion of the phalanges is possible. It is safer to bleed on the pos- 

 terior part of the coronet, where no danger can be looked for. 



This bleeding has been principally recommended as a local 

 operation in cases of acute laminitis. 



(g) Bleeding on the Foot. — The toe is the part selected when 

 bleeding is jjerformed on the foot. It is an operation which has 

 been known for many years, and imder various forms, and with 

 different apj)lications has been described by Virgilius, Columelle, 

 Absyrtus and Vegetius. It consists in the incision and removal 

 of a portion of the sole of the foot. It is indicated in all cases 

 where local bleeding is justified, and has, therefore, been recom- 

 mended in all congestions and inflammations of the foot, such as 

 bruises, burned soles and acute laminitis, though in this last case 

 its execution is rendered difficult by the unwillingness of the ani- 

 mal to support its weight on one leg during the operation. There 

 are several ways of bleeding at the toe. 



1st. The Chahert Method. — A sjoecial shoe must first be pre- 

 pared; it may be simply an ordinary shoe notched on its inner 

 border, which, without being removed, permits both the opera- 

 tion of bleeding and the subsequent application of a dressing. 

 In operating, the sole is pared out and a groove 

 made between the point of the frog and the toe of 

 the wall, with a drawing-knife, until the soft tis- 

 sues are reached. An incision is then made with 

 the curved bistoury at the bottom of the groove, 

 between the wall and the inferior border of the os ^^^ 453_shoefor 

 pedis, and an incision made dividing all the ves- the Bleeding at the 

 sels that come in contact with the instrument, ^.f' ^?^°'^f,'°^ ^^ 



Chabert s Method. 



A\Tien the flow of blood has been sufiicient, the 

 hemorrhage is suppressed by a compressing dressing of oakum 

 kept in place by bandages, or with jilates, according to the condi- 

 tion of the foot, and whether it had been shod with the notched 

 shoe, or had remained entirely shoeless. 



