92 THE FUNCTIONS OF THE FOOT. 



what has occurred. Should a nerve be cut through, the part 

 supplied by it is deprived of sensation and motion, and nutritive 

 processes are no longer carried on in a well-ordered and normal 

 fashion. In prolonged, painful diseases of the foot, section of 

 the (digital) nerves is sometimes practised ; but though this 

 may render the animal sound for a time, it must not be for- 

 gotten that the nerves are concerned in other functions than 

 that of common sensation, and that neurectomy is often 

 followed by unfavourable results. 



