582 NEUROTOMY. 



being relieved from a constant state of suffering by neu- 

 rotomy, improved in health and condition, and was again 

 used to cover. It happened, also, that a mare similarly 

 circumstanced ceased to feel oestrum ; but after neurotomy 

 it again returned, and she resumed her character of a brood 

 mare. It appears to act with most certainty when a portion 

 of the irritated nerve is excised. One case has actually 

 occurred where the tetanus, occasioned by a wound in the 

 foot, was arrested and removed by neurotomy. It also 

 promises much in the painful state of some cankers, where 

 the irritation has rendered the application of dressings 

 almost impossible : here, by depriving the foot of sensi- 

 bility, we deprive the horse of that which is injurious to 

 him : the sore itself is often amended by it ; but in every 

 instance the dressings can be effectively applied, and the 

 healthy processes cannot be at all suspended. 



With respect to whether the lower or upper incision 

 ought to have the preference, the decision should be guided 

 by the circumstances, as regards the intensity and the seat 

 of the disease. The operation commonly leaves, for a con- 

 siderable time, some enlargement around the spot, the 

 effects of the adhesive matter interposed between the se- 

 vered portions of nerve ; and which can be remedied by no 

 application of bandages. This bulging remains so long 

 as hfe continues; and, however cunningly the incision 

 be concealed, this can be felt with ease, and tells the 

 truth ever after the operation has been performed. Such a 

 circumstance has, however, led some practitioners, when it 

 has been wished to make the upper section, and yet to 

 avoid the chance of detection, to operate on the meta- 

 carpal nerve on the outside, and on the pastern or plantar 

 nerve on the inside. 



MODE OF PERFORMING THE OPERATION. 



The situation of the section through the skin being de- 

 termined on, a guide to which may be gained from the per- 

 foratus tendon, and having firmly secured the leg to be first 

 operated on, cut the hair from the part. This being done, 

 and the exact course of the artery being ascertained by its 

 pulsation, make a section close to the edge of the flexor 

 tendon. Let the cut be near, but rather behind, the artery. 



