NEUROTOMY. 



113 



A The metacarpal nerve on the inside of the off leg at the edge 

 of the shank bone, and behind the vein and artery. 



B The continuation of the same nerve on the pastern, and pro- 

 ceeding downward to supply the back part of the foot with 

 feeling. 



C The division of the nerve on the fetlock joint. 



D The branch which supplies with feeling the fore part of the 

 foot. 



E The artery between the vein and nerve. 

 _K F The continuation of the artery on the pastern, close to, and 

 before the nerve. 



G The vein before the artery and nerve. 



H The same vein spreading over the pastern. 



I One of the flexor tendons, the perforalus (perforated). 



J The deeper flexor tendon, the perforans (perforating, contained 

 within the other). 



K The tendinous band in which the flexors work. 



L One of the extensors of the foot. 



M The internal or sensible frog. 



N The posterior lateral ligament. 



O The lleshy or sensible lamina covering the coffin bone, the 

 horny crust being removed. 



P The horny crust. 



Q The sole. 



For rin^-bone— the side cartilages becoming bony, and there being partial stiffness 

 of the pastern and coffin joints — the operation of nerving will probably be beneficial. 

 The sense of pain being taken away, the animal will use these parts more, and they 

 will gradually recover their natural action and motion. For the same reason, in old 

 contraction of the feet, it is highly beneficial. The torture occasioned by the pressure 

 of the horny crust on the sensible ])arts within being no longer felt, and the foot com- 

 ing fully and firmly in contact with the ground, not only is lameness relieved, but the 

 elasticity and form of the foot partially restored. Where lameness has long existed, 

 unattended with heat of the foot or alteration of shape, and the seat of which could 

 not be ascertained, although probably existing between the navicular bone and the 

 back tendon that plays over it, neurotomy may be resorted to with decided advantage. 



Mischief, however, will result from the operation if the pastern or coffin joints are 

 perfectly stiff, because the concussion occasioned by the forcible contact of the foot 

 with the ground, and unbroken by the play of the joints, must necessarily still more 

 injure the bone. When the sole of the foot is convex or pumiced, the effect of neuro- 

 tomy will be most destructive. The sole scarcely able to bear the pressure of the 

 coffin-bone, even when pain induces the animal to put his foot as gently as possible 

 on tlie ground, being forced below its natural situation, would be speedily worn through 

 and destroyed. So if inflammation existed, although its pain might be removed, yet 

 its progress would be quickened by the bruising to which the parts might be sub- 

 jected ; and more especially would this be the case, if there was any ulceration of 

 the ligaments or cartilages. 



The unfettered shoe of ^U. Turner being adopted, at least so far as we can have it 

 nfettered — attached to the foot on one side alone, and the inner quarter being left 

 free — the foot gradually regains its original healthy form, and, when, in process of 

 time, a new portion of nerve is produced, and the sensibility of the foot re-established, 

 the horse (continues to be sound. To some extent, immediate good effect is produced 

 as it regards the actual disease. We remove that general constitutional irritability 

 which long-continued pain occasions, and which heightens and perpetuates local dis- 

 ease. We obtain for the patient an interval of repose, and every local ailment soon 

 subsides or disappears, and the whole constitution become invigorated. 



Mr. Percivall relates two valuable eases of this. A mare with contracted feet was 

 10* P 



