NEUROTOMY. 47] 



be distinguished from them by its lying behind the others, and by its 

 whiteness. A curve blunt needle, with a handle, is then passed under it, 

 in order to raise it a little. It is dissected from the cellular substance 

 beneath, and about three quarters of a,n inch of it cut out, — the fii-st in- 

 cision being made at the upper part, in which case the second incision 

 ^vill not be felt. The horse must then be turned, and the operation per- 

 formed on the other side ; for there is a nervous trunk on both sides. The 

 wounds are now closed, a bandage placed over them, the head tied up for 

 a couple of days, and the animal kept rather low, and as quiet as possible. 

 The incisions will generally rapidly heal ; and in three weeks or a month, 

 and sometimes earlier, the horse will be fit for work. 



For ringbone — the side cartilages becoming bony, and there being 

 laartial stiiihess of the pastern and cofiin-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 Avill, to a certain extent, re- 

 cover their natural action and motion. These are, indeed, some of the 

 most satisfactory cases in which it can be had recourse to ; and when the 

 enlargement exists in one of the lateral cartilages only, that is on but one 

 side of the coronet, requiring the operation on but the outer or inner 

 nerve, as the case may be, the effect is very satisfactory without the sen- 

 sation of the foot being lost. For the same reason, in old contraction of 

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

 the homy crust on the sensitive parts within being no longer felt, and the 

 foot coming fully and firmly in contact with the ground, not only is lame- 

 ness 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, neui'otomy may be resorted to with decided 

 advantage. 



Mischief, however, will result from the operation if the pastern or 

 cofiin-joints are perfectly stifi", because the concussion occasioned by the 

 foi'cible 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 neurotomy will be most destruc- 

 tive. 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 the 

 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 progi'ess would be quickened by the bruising 

 to which the parts might be subjected ; and more especially would this be 

 the case, if there was any ulceration of the ligaments or cartilages. 



To some extent, immediate good effect is produced as it regards the 

 actual disease. We remove that general constitutional ii^itability which 

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

 disease. We obtain for the patient an interval of repose, and every local 

 ailment soon subsides or disappears, at least to a very considerable extent, 

 and the whole constitution becomes invigorated. 



Mr. Percivall relates two valuable cases of this. A mare with con- 

 tracted feet was never subject to periodical oestrum, and her owner 

 lamented in vain that he could not breed from her. She underwent the 

 operation of neurotomy and became an excellent brood mare. A stallion 

 with many a good point about him was useless in the stud : he was suffer- 

 ing from some disease in the feet. A poi-tion of the nerve was excised — 

 his constitution underwent a complete change, and he became sire to a 

 numerous and valuable progeny. 



