362 TENOTOMY. 



the sheaths, and that the tendons themselves are not the seat of 

 injury. This, at least, is, I believe, the general opinion of veteri- 

 narians, and is the doctrine taught by veterinary writers. I am 

 inclined, however, to take a different view of these injuries : and 

 I am bold enough to assert, on the ground of pathological investi- 

 gation, that, in such cases, the injuries are sustained in the tendons 

 themselves, while the effect produced in the sheath or cellular 

 membrane by which they are surrounded, is only an extension of 

 the inflammation, consequent upon the injury, to the more import- 

 ant parts. In support of this assertion, I may observe, that I have 

 known tendons partially and wholly ruptured, blood effused, 

 lymph organised, and osseous matter deposited in and on them. 

 I have seen all these occur where the tendon passes under the 

 navicular bone. I have also found them in other parts of tendons. 

 The obdurate and painful enlargement of the bursa at the fetlock, 

 which leaves, generally, a permanent thickening, also arises from 

 such injury." — Quarterly Journal of Agriculture, Edinburgh, 

 vol. ii, 1829-31. 



Tenotomy. 



{Division of the Flexor Tendons.) 



Definition. — To say nothing of the valuable elucidations 

 human anatomy and physiology have from time to time received 

 from the investigation of the structures of different animals, and the 

 varieties in their general economy, we may take occasion to remark 

 here, that the operation we are about to take into our considera- 

 tion appears to be of purely veterinary origin and growth, and 

 that for any utility it may have turned out to be to the surgeon, 

 he stands debtor to the science and practice of the veterinary 

 surgeon. So long ago as the time of Vegetius, horses were " said 

 to be stiff-limbed," suffering " from a contraction of the nerves 

 {tendons) in their feet," treading " with the tops of their hoofs," 

 having " their joints rigid and stiff," unable to " set their hoofs 

 full upon the ground." And though since the age in which this 

 father of veterinary medicine lived, " stiffness of limb" or " stiff 

 legs" has found mention in works on farriery, with some ridiculous 



