236 INJURIES. 



perhaps coffin-bone. In this case, we are recommended not to be content 

 with removing the diseased cartilage, but the whole is to be cut away ; 

 otherwise, the portion left will fall into disease, and we shall be foiled in 

 our purpose. For the more convenient excision of the cartilage, the 

 French use a curved scalpel, which, from its form, they call a sage-leaf 

 knife. I have seen the instrument in this country ; but, at present, one 

 seems to hear nothing about the operation — a circumstance probably 

 owing to the rarity of the cases requiring its aid, and to the mean 

 opinion entertained of its justification. 



The CHIEF Precautions required in Operating are, that, in detach- 

 ing the cartilage from its internal connexions, we do not wound the 

 plantar blood-vessels, cut through the capsule of the pastern-joint, or 

 divide the long lateral ligaments of the pastern-bone ; the former of 

 which accidents would not be necessarily fatal ; while the latter two 

 would probably prove a source of permanent lameness. A tantalizing 

 occurrence is the co-existence of caries with ossification of the cartilage, 

 (jrirard notices this vexatious complication ; and tells us that we are to 

 proceed with the operation ; removing the entire cartilage, though wholly 

 converted into bone ;• or, should the transformation be but partial, such 

 portions are to be excised as remain. 



The Dressings recommended after the operation are those of a 

 stimulating nature ; such as the warm tinctures, &c. After the skin and 

 coronary substance have been laid down in their places, and the border 

 of the hoof next to the wound has been made so thin that it cannot 

 press upon the sensitive parts, the bare surface is to be dressed with 

 soft tow dipped in the tincture ; over which dossils of coarse tow should 

 be smoothly piled, and the whole bound on with broad tape, so that uni- 

 form pressure may be exerted upon the parts. Lastly, the whole may 

 be confined in a piece of sacking, or encased in a leathern boot. The 

 first dressing should not be removed before the fifth or sixth day ; or not 

 before suppuration is established. The after-treatment of the case must 

 be conducted on the principles laid down for the general management of 

 wounds. 



FALSE QUARTER 



More commonly results from quittor than any other 

 cause. It may, however, be occasioned by injury or disease 

 of any kind destroying the coronary substance^ on the in- 

 tegrity of which that of the wall depends. In the same 



' It would be as well did the professor inform us how this was to be accom- 

 plished without sacrificing the life of our patient. 



