ANTERIOR TIBIAL NEUROTOMY. 191 



of the tenacula. In poor horses the contour of the nerve, 

 covered only by loose connective tissue, stands out promi- 

 nently, in fat horses it is surrounded by a large amount of 

 adipose tissue. Cut through this fat and connective tissue 

 and expose the tibial nerve, n, Plate XXXI and NS, Plate 

 XXXII, to view ; immediately before it lies the plantar 

 vein and on the lateral side is situated the recurrent tibial 

 -artery, SA, Plate XXXII. The cross section in Plate 

 XXXII is located somewhat below the point for operation 

 and the vein has crossed obliquely over the nerve so that 

 it appears behind instead of in fro7it of it, as is the case 

 generally at the point where the operation is performed. 

 -Separate the vessels completely from the nerve with the 

 handle of the scalpel, pass an aneurism needle from before 

 "backward beneath it through to the handle and grasping 

 both ends force the instrument upwards and downwards in 

 •order to separate the nerve trunk from the adjacent tissues. 

 Cut the nerve off at the upper and lower angles of the 

 wound removing a section at least 5 cm. long. Suture the 

 cutaneous wound and apply a bandage allowing it to remain 

 ■eight days. Healing should occur by first intention. 



41. ANTERIOR TIBIAL NEUROTOMY. 



Neurotomy of the Deep Branch of the Peroneal Nerve. 



Plates XXXII-XXXI/I. 



Object. An adjunct operation to the preceding since this 

 -nerve supplies sensation to the tarsus in common with the 

 •sciatic. The two constitute what is known as Bossi's double 

 neurotomy for spavin. 



Instruments. Same as in the preceding. 



Technic. Confine as in the preceding but with the 

 affected leg uppermost. Locate the furrow dividing the 



