NEUROTOMY. 213 



ordinary longitudinal one, is recommended by Mv. Webb*; his 

 reasons for such recommendation being, that the cicatrix conse- 

 quential on the wound, becoming covered by the hair growing 

 down over it, is thereby more completely effaced. With this, 

 however, ought to be taken into consideration, to what extent an 

 incision across the skin might embarrass the future proceedings of 

 the operator ; and whether or not, through gaping, the healing of 

 the wound might not, in the end, be protracted. 



The Operations concluded, the horse is released, and as soon 

 as he has risen upon his legs it is usual to have him led along, first 

 at a walk, afterwards at a trot, with a view of ascertaining what 

 benefit has been conferred by the operation. The most decisive 

 proof we can have of success is the restoration at once from a state 

 of lameness to one of soundness; at the same time it must be 

 observed, it does not follow, because such does not turn out to 

 be the case, that hope of restoration is thereby destroyed. A 

 horse may feel himself cramped from having been long fettered, 

 or he may in moving his fore limbs feel sore from his wounds, or 

 he may, I believe, continue to go lame from habit, simply because 

 he has for so long a time prior to the operation been going lame. 

 Let it be ascribed, however, to what cause it may, the fact is well 

 enough authenticated, of horses hardly seeming to experience re- 

 lief — at all events such decided relief — immediately after neuro- 

 tomy, and yet who in after-times have been restored through it. 



Now, then, the horse is returned to his stable. A stall is, in his 

 present condition, a more suitable place than a box for him. He 

 requires to be fastened up securely ; two halter ropes are on that 

 account better than one : the object being to keep him from 

 lying down, and prevent him by any possibility reaching his 

 wounded pasterns with his mouth. And now, wet linen bandages 

 should be rolled round his pasterns ; they will serve to support the 

 sutures, and at the same time will keep the parts cool, and so 

 moderate any approaching inflammation. With the same view a 

 dose of physic may be given while he is under confinement. The 



* In The Veterinarian, vol. xxi, p. 270. 



