102 DISEASES OF THE HORSE'S FOOT 



the region supplied by the removed nerve, a sluggish and 

 troublesome character. Difficult to deal with as wounds 

 about the foot ordinarily are, they are rendered more so by 

 a previous neurectomy. 



Gelatinous Degeneration. — This is a condition liable to 

 occur in cases where the operation has been too long 

 deferred, and when considerable structural alteration has 

 already taken place in the shape of diseased bone or 

 tendon, more especially in navicular disease. It consists 

 in a peculiar softening of the structures of the limb, 

 accompanied with enlargement, due to swelling of the 

 connective tissues, the enlargement and softening gener- 

 ally making itself first apparent by a soft, pulpy swelling 

 in the hollow of the heel. 



From this onwards the enlargement increases, and lame- 

 ness becomes excessive, the animal going more and more 

 on his heels, until, finally, no portion of the solar surface 

 of the foot comes to the ground at all. 



The case is hopeless, and destruction should be advised. 



Reported Case. — ' The patient, a brown carriage gelding, 

 was brought to the Royal Veterinary College infirmary in a 

 cart on December 31, the only previous history obtainable 

 being that it had suddenly fallen lame a month before. 



' The symptoms presented were excessive lameness of the 

 near fore-limb. On being trotted, the toe was elevated each 

 time the foot reached the ground, progression being entirely 

 on the heels. Separation of the hoof for about 2 inches at 

 the hinder part of the coronet; cedematous swelling from 

 foot to knee, extending during the next three days to the 

 elbow. Great tenderness between the knee and the fetlock ; 

 below this no sensation whatever, as a pin was inserted in 

 several places round the coronet without causing any symp- 

 toms of pain. On further examination, two unnerving scars 

 were found. No treatment was adopted, and the horse was 

 destroyed on January 6. 



' On dissecting the leg, the following appearances pre- 

 sented themselves : 



' The limb was very much enlarged, due to thickeninng of 



