CAUDAL MYECTOMY. 



105 



Wounding the skin over the muscular incision is avoided 

 by placing the thumb of the left hand over the line of in- 

 cision so the knife will be recognized as soon as the muscle 

 and caudal fascia are cut through. Remove the knife in the 

 same manner as introduced. Release the horse and have 

 him trotted again. If the operatio7i is stifficient, the tail 

 should acrve in about the same degree as before, but in the 

 opposite direction. If this has not been attained examine 

 carefully and sever any remaining bundles of muscle, and 

 this not sufficing repeat the operation as before at another 

 point 5 or 6 cm. above or below the first, severing the muscle 

 again. Or if the depressor appears imphcated, sever it in 

 a similar manner. In extreme cases the entire lateral half 

 of the caudal muscles, tendons and aponeurosis may be 

 severed. 



Apply an antiseptic pad to the wound and retain it by a 

 moderately firm bandage, which serves at once as an occlu- 

 sive dressing and effective hemostatic. Remove the band- 

 age after 24 hours. By this plan of operation it is not 

 intended to tie the tail to the side of the animal during the 

 time of healing but when bandaging immediately after the 

 operation, the tail should be held away from the side toward 

 which it formerly curved so that the bandage may tend to 

 prevent the return of the organ to its former position. 



22. CAUDAL MYECTOMY. 

 Fig. 9 and Plate XVII. 



Objects. For the prevention of the gripping of the reins 

 by the tail. 



Instruments. Elastic ligature, straight bistoury, ten- 

 acula, absorbent cotton, bandages. 



Technic. Confine the animal in lateral decubitis or in 

 stocks, cleanse and disinfect the parts and apply the elastic 



