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112 THE HORSE. 



length. The vessels will then be brought into view, and the nerve will be 

 distinguished from them, by its being behind, and by its whiteness. A 

 crooked needle with silk is passed under it to raise it a little ; it is dis- 

 sected from the cellular substance beneath, and about three quarters of an 

 inch of it cut out, the first incision being made at the upper part, in which 

 case the second cut will not be felt. The horse must then be turned 

 and the operation performed on the other side, for there is a nervous 

 trunk on both sides. The wounds are now closed with strips of ad- 

 hesive plaster, a bandage placed over them, the head tied up for two days, 

 and the animal kept rather low, and as quiet as possible. The incisions 

 will o-enerally rapidly heal, and in three weeks, or a month, and sometimes 

 earlier, the horse will be fit for work. 



For rino--bone ; — the side cartilages becoming bony, and partial stiffness 

 of the pastern and coffin joints, the operation of nerving will probably be 

 useful. The sense of pain being taken away, the animal will use these 

 parts more, and partly recover their natural action and motion. For the 

 same reason, in old contraction of the feet, it is highly beneficial. The tor- 

 ture occasioned by the pressure of the horny crust on the sensible parts 

 within being no longer felt, and the foot coming fully and firmly in con- 

 tact with the ground, not only is lameness relieved, but the elasticity and 

 form of the foot partially restored. Where there has long existed lame- 

 ness unattended with heat of the foot, or alteration of shape, and the seat 

 of which could not be ascertained, although probably existing between the 

 shuttle bone and the back tendon which plays over it, neurotomy may be 

 resorted to with decided advantage. 



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

 joints are perfectly stiff, because the concussion occasioned by the forcible 

 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 con- 

 vex or pumiced, the effect of neurotomy will be most destructive. The sole, 

 scarcely able to bear the pressure of the coffin-bone forced below its natural 

 situation, even when pain induces the animal to put his foot as gently as 

 possible on the ground, would now be speedily worn through and destroyed. 

 So if inflammation existed, although its pain might be removed, yet its pro- 

 gress would be quickened by the bruising to which the parts might be sub- 

 jected, and more especially would this be the case if there were any ulcera- 

 tion of the ligaments or cartilages. How many cases will this include ! 

 To how many poor coach and cart-horses and hackneys might some 

 years of usefulness and enjoyment thus be added! 



The value of the operation, or the unpleasant consequences which may 

 follow from it, depend upon the judgment of the surgeon; and that judg- 

 ment being duly exercised, we regard this operation as one of the most 

 important discoveries in horse practice in modern times. 



DISEASES OF THE EYE. 



The diseases of the eye constitute a very important, but a most unsatis- 

 factory division of our work ; for the maladies of this organ, although few 

 in number, are freq\ient in their appearance ; they are sadly obstinate, and 

 baffle all skill. The eye of the horse appears to be naturally more disposed 

 to disease than that of any other animal with which we are acquainted ; 

 and most assuredly there is no domestic animal, the treatment of whose 

 diseases is so much at variance with common sense. 



We have spoken of Fracture of the orbit, and its treatment. Occa- 

 sionally a Wound is inflicted by a passionate or careless servant. The eye 



