TRIFACIAL NEUROTOMY. 69 



them over with iodoform and tannin or cover with wound 

 gelatine and leave undisturbed to heal by primary union. 

 Avoid halter, bridle or other fixtures which might injure 

 the wounds after the operation. 



In some cases the operation may be performed upon the 

 standing animal under local anaesthesia and whenever this 

 is possible it is greatly to be preferred since the hemorrhage 

 is far lessened and the danger from sepsis reduced, but with 

 most affected animals the standing operation is impractic- 

 able. 



Dangers. The chief danger in the operation is from in- 

 fection, which sets up a severe neuritis in the proximal end 

 of the nerve, aggravates the symptoms and causes much 

 suffering. In order to prevent infection the aseptic precau- 

 tions need be unusually strict in every detail and the anaes- 

 thesia profound. Carefully avoid wounding the neighbor- 

 ing vessels and control completely any hemorrhage that 

 occurs in order to avoid a hematom in the wound, which 

 always invites infection. 



Literature. Involuntary twitching of the head relieved 

 by trifacial neurectomy. W. L. Williams, Jour. Comp. 

 Med. and V. A., vol. XVIII, p. 426. Involuntary shaking 

 of the head and its treatment by trifacial neurectomy, do. 

 Am. Vet. Rev., vol. XXIII, p. 321 and CEst. Monatsch. 

 Thierheilkunde, Bd. XXIV, s. 211. 



