124 LAMENESS OF THE HORSE 



all that is required. In most instances treatment is not neces- 

 sary. 



The affected animals require a month to three months' time 

 for recovery to take place in the average favorable cases of ring- 

 bone. 



Median neurectomy is of service in many instances where 

 lameness is not completely relieved by the use of the actual 

 cauteiy and no bad results attend the performance of this opera- 

 tion even though no benefit is derived thereby. Plantar neu- 

 rectomy is contraindicated in all cases where there exists much 

 lameness. If lameness is due to acute inflammation bad results 

 such as sloughing and loss of the hoof may follow ; and if large 

 exostoses mechanically interfere with function of the joint, or 

 where articular erosions exist, no possible good can come from 

 neurectomy. Careful discrimination should be employed in se- 

 lecting cases for neurectomy for this operation; otherwise, it is 

 very likely to prove disappointing. 



Open Sheath of the Flexors of the Phalanges. 



This condition does not differ from a like affection involving 

 other tendons except that the function of these tendons is such 

 that large synovial sheaths are necessary, and when synovitis 

 exists, the condition then becomes more serious. 



Infectious synovitis involving these tendons in the fetlock 

 region is of more frequent occurrence than a like affection of 

 carpal or tarsal sheaths. With the exception of the extent of 

 the involvement and distress occasioned thereby, synovitis the 

 result of open tendon sheaths, is similar wherever it occurs. 



Etiology. — The same conditions which are responsible for 

 open fetlock joint and other wounds of the pastern region, cause 

 open tendon sheaths of the flexor tendons. 



Symptomatology. — Because of the size and extent of this 

 slicalli and the different manner in whidi it is opened, there is 

 manifested dissimilar symptoms in different cases. A nail 

 puncture which perforates the sheath in the pastern region and 

 at the same time produces an infectious synovitis, will cause 

 a markedly different manifestation than will a wound which 



