96 



DISEASES OF THE HORSE'S FOOT 



The Esmarch bandage is composed of solid rubber, and 

 with it the limb is bandaged tightly from below upwards. 

 On reaching the knee the tourniquet is stretched round the 

 limb, fastened by means of its buckle and strap, and the 

 bandage removed. Those who feel they can dispense with 

 the bandage use the tourniquet alone. For this purpose 

 the form depicted in Fig. 58, and the one in general use at 

 the Royal Veterinary College, is more suitable, on account 



Fig. 59. — Neurectomy Bistoury. 



of its wooden block, which may be placed so as to press on 

 the main artery of supply. 



Instruments Required. — These should be at hand in an 

 earthenware or enamelled iron tray containing just sufficient 

 of a 5 per cent, solution of carbolic acid to keep them 

 covered. Those that are necessary will be a sharp scalpel, 

 or, if preferred, one of the many forms of bistoury devised 

 for the purpose (see Fig. 59), a pair of artery forceps, a 

 needle ready threaded with silk or gut, one of the patterns 



Fig. 60. — Neurectomy Needle. 



of neurectomy needle (see Fig. 60), and a pair of blunt- 

 pointed scissors curved on the flat. It is also an advantage, 

 v,hen once the incision through the skin is made, to employ 

 one of the forms of elastic, self-adjusting tenacula (see Fig. 

 61) for keeping the edges of the wound apart while search- 

 ing for the nerve. 



Incision through the Skin. — We remember that the 

 plantar nerve of the inner side is in close relation with the 

 internal metacarpal artery, and that both, in company with 



