222 NEUROTOMY. 



there is double risk afterwards, supposing both operations — or 

 rather all four operations — turn out completely satisfactory. A 

 reference to those cases of neurotomy in which success has proved 

 most signal and lasting will shew that, for the most part, they 

 have been lamenesses of one leg. Indeed, so formidable to our 

 French veterinary brethren did neurotomy in both fore legs ap- 

 pear, that they held it to be unwarrantable, nay, impracticable 

 and dangerous. This, however, our own experience contradicts. 

 Still, that neurotomist is in the happiest position who is called on 

 to operate on one leg alone. Nor need he be under the appre- 

 hension, which might enter his mind, that because neurotomy has 

 restored one foot, the animal will fail in the opposite one. If he 

 does fail after this manner, it will be from a translation of navi- 

 cularthritis, and that not a consequence of neurotomy. 



Sequels of Neurotomy. Notwithstanding the precaution 

 has been given before, it is one that may be given again, indeed 

 can hardly be repeated too often, viz. that every injury or sign of 

 injury to a foot or leg deprived of sensation, requires double care 

 and attention on the part of the person tending on such horse, 

 seeing that the animal, feeling no pain, will afford no indication of 

 annoyance or suffering himself. The disregard of this plain and 

 obvious injunction it is that proves the fruitful source of mis- 

 chief in various forms, arising out of neurotomy certainly, but as 

 certainly not fairly ascribable to neurotomy. A simple bruise 

 or tread upon a leg or foot devoid of sensation. may breed inflamma- 

 tion and festering of the part, and that may end in caries or quittor, 

 or in something worse, and all owing either to neglect or wilful 

 perseverance in mis-doing, after the mischief has declared itself. 

 Of such accidents, or rather ill consequences of accidents, it would 

 be useless to speak further ; and therefore we shall dismiss these 

 avoidable grievances to examine 



The other Class of Evils arising out of Neurotomy, 

 such as proceed from improper use of the horse after the operation, 

 or at least of such use of him as under the circumstances of his 

 special case he is, and ought, probably, to have been known to be, 

 not in a condition to endure. To suppose that every foot deprived 

 of sensation upon which a horse, as the result, goes sound, is 



