NEUROTOMY. 



Ill 



destroyed, and the hoof has actually dropped off after the division of the 

 nerve, — every prejudice has been strengthened, and the operation has 

 been censured and neglected. Now, although we have shewn that every 

 part of the animal frame is dependent on nervous energy, we have also 

 shewn that we do not and cannot, by this operation, injure those nerves on 

 which nutrition depends : these are the ganglial nerves, which wind 

 round the arteries and veins, and their minutest branches, and enable them 

 to discharge their functions, and they are not, and cannot be touched in 

 the operation of unnerving; nor can the slightest portion of nutriment be 

 taken away from the limb. We divide only the nerve of sensation ; and if 

 we have used a little common sense, and considered whether it be a case 

 that admits of the operation, and will probably benefit by it, we shall give 

 relief to him who well deserves it, and will amply repay it. 



A The nerv'e 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 proceeding downward to supply the back part 

 of the foot with feeling, 

 c Tlie 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 nen^e. 

 F The continuation of the artery on the pastern, close io, 

 and before the nerve. 

 The vein before the artery and nerve. 

 Tlie same vein spreading over the pastern. 

 One of the flexor tendons, the perforatus (perforated). 

 The deeper flexor tendon, the perforans (perforating, 



contained within the other). 

 The tendinous band in which the flexors work. 

 One of the extensors of the foot. 

 The internal or sensible frog. 

 Tlie posterior lateral ligament. 

 The fleshy or sensible lamina covering the coffin bone, 



the horny crust being removed. 

 Tlie horny crust. 

 The sole. 



Our cut gives a view of the nerve on the inside, as it approaches the 

 fetlock, and goes over the pastern. It will be seen that branches are given 

 off above the fetlock, which go to the fore part of the foot, and supply it 

 with feeling. The continuation of the nerve below the fetlock is given 

 principally to the quarters and hinder part of the foot. The first 

 consideration, then, with the operator is — Does he wish to deprive the whole 

 of the foot of sensation, oris the cause of lameness principally in the hinder 

 part of the foot, so that he can leave some degree of feeling in the fore 

 part, and prevent that alteration in the tread and going of the horse, 

 which the good horseman immediately detects ? 



The horse is cast and secured, and the limb to be operated on removed 

 from the hobbles and extended ; the hair having been previously shaved 

 from the part. The operator then feels for the throbbing of the artery, or 

 the round firm body of the nerve itself, on the side of the shank bone, or 

 the larger pastern. The vein, artery, and nerve here run close together, 

 the vein nearest to the front of the leg, then the artery, and the nerve 

 behind. He cautiously cuts through the skin, for an inch and a half in 



