AMPUTATIONS. 585 



ever is very questionable. When periosteotomy acts at 

 all, it mostly does so at once ; and when its benefits are not 

 immediate, it is better to withdraw the seton to prevent 

 after blemish, rather than hazard further and useless treat- 

 ment by the application of a stimulant to skin already 

 deprived of any connexion w^ith the deeper-seated struc- 

 tures. 



DIVISION OF THE FLEXOR TENDON. 



There are so many accidents and diseases that may pro- 

 duce contraction of the flexor tendons, that we only won- 

 der we do not more often meet with them ; which we 

 should certainly do, but that the attendants, despairing of 

 being able to aflbrd reHef, advise their destruction. The 

 operation consists in making a longitudinal incision of about 

 three inches in length along the inner lateral edge of the 

 tendon ; dissecting each portion from its cellular attach- 

 ments, so as to expose the nerve, artery, and tendons. 

 This opening will allow the perforans to be freed from the 

 perforatus, w^hen a division should be made by a scalpel 

 applied to its surface. It is evident that this should take 

 place below any thickening, or adhesions which may have 

 permanently connected the tendon with the neighbouring 

 parts : any lesser attachments will be broken through, 

 by forcing back the foot to the just position. By Mr. 

 Dick this was done ' by placing his knee against the 

 front or projecting part of the pastern, at the same time 

 laying hold of the foot with one hand and the upper part of 

 the leg with the other, and using considerable force : and 

 this appears to be necessary, in order to break any adhe- 

 sions that may have formed.' The limb should now be 

 placed in a poultice ; and if any fear of future contraction 

 should arise during the cure, lengthen the toe of the shoe 

 proper to the foot operated on. Some slow exercise after 

 the first week may be allowed, but previously to that the 

 horse should be confined to a stall, during which the bowels 

 must be kept open with mashes. 



AMPUTATIONS. 



These have been hitherto confined principally to the tail, 

 the ears, and other parts of minor importance in the animal 



