364 SUllGICAL OrERATIONS. 



and astonishment, that although the nervous communication 

 with the foot has been completely cut ofF, the secreting arteries, 

 as they are termed, continue to perform their functions as well 

 as before.* 



In determining upon the ex])ediency of pei'forming the nerve 

 operation, it is necessary to consider, not only what probability 

 there is of its being successful, or in what degree it may be so, 

 but likewise whether the chance of cure is equal to the expense 

 of the operation, and that of keeping the horse before he is fit 

 for work. The expense of keep need not be considerable ; for 

 after a few weeks, or even before, he may be turned to grass, 

 where he should be kept two monthst, and then may be put to 



and, consequently, those which too frequently, from their incurable nature, 

 call for the aid of neurotomy. If the foot be strong, and there be but little 

 contraction, the operation is more likely to succeed ; but should there be a 

 great deal of contraction there is danger of inflammatory action going on ex- 

 ternally to the joint, and enlargements of a soft spongy nature taking place. 

 If the foot is flat and weak the operation is not to be recommended, as there 

 is great danger to be apprehended from bruises and pricks in shoeing. And 

 here it may be observed that great care should be always used in shoeing 

 afterwards ; the smith should be cautioned that the foot does not possess its 

 usual sensibility, and that he must not expect the horse to flinch from the nail 

 going too close; evei-y nail must therefore be driven with unusual care. The 

 operation is sometimes performed for ringbones and ossification of the car- 

 tilages. In these cases we must always suppose that other treatment has 

 been previously tried without success ; and we must bear in mind that from 

 these ossific depositions there has been considerable loss of elasticity, and, 

 consequently, great concussion ; and that the operation is likely to inci-ease 

 this concussion, by preventing that care being taken which pain and lameness 

 induces. This being the case the operation should not be performed unless 

 the horse be too lame to be useful ; and, after the operation, means should be 

 used to ward off concussion by the interposition of leather between the foot 

 and the shoe, and the employment of the horse in moderate work only. The 

 operation should not be performed when there are corns, unless they are very 

 slight ; because these corns are likely to increase and fester, without the 

 annnal testifying their existence by the exhibition of lameness. — Spooner on 

 the Foot, S)-c. 



* It was doubted when the operation was first introduced, and there are 

 some who doubt it still, whether if nervous communication were cut ofl'the 

 proper secretion of parts could be carried on in the foot. The fact, however, 

 is, there are a set of nerves which supply the various arteries of the body with 

 nervous energy of a peculiar kind, and which are independent of those of 

 common sensation, both in their nature, distribution, and course. Accord- 

 ingly we find that the hoof and other parts of the foot are reproduced Avith 

 the "same energy after the operation as before ; and even extensive wounds 

 have been found to heal with ecpial facility. We have here much pleasure in 

 referring for further information to Mr. Youatt's beautiful lectui-es in the 

 Vetcrinn?-iar), where the separate functions of the nervous system are ad- 

 mirably enforced and clearly explained. — Spooner on the Foot, ^-c. 



t I do not recommend the nerved horses to be turned to grass, having 

 seen the bad effects of such plan in several instances. The horse no longer 

 sufTcring from pain gallops carelessly about the field, using the affected limb 

 unduly," by which the sinew opposite the navicular joint is ruptured, as 

 previously noticed. — Ed. 



