104 DISEASES OF THE HORSE'S FOOT 



general appearance was that of granulation tissue, contain- 

 ing capillary vessels, which were fairly plentiful, and com- 

 paratively large in size.' * 



Chronic (Edema of the Leg. — In some cases there is a 

 distinct swelling of the leg some time after the operation. 

 This exposes the limb to the infliction of sores from striking 

 with the opposite foot, with, of course, the difficulty in 

 healing we have just described. 



Persistent Pruritus. — This annoying sequel occurs in the 

 neurectomized limb, with or without gelatinous degenera- 

 tion, and appears to be without a remedy. The itching in 

 some cases is so intense as to lead the animal to constantly 

 gnaw at the top of the foot. As one observer has remarked, 

 the animal may begin literally biting pieces out of his limb. 

 The result of the irritation and gnawing is fatal. Great 

 sloughing of the parts takes place, and the animal has 

 eventually to be slaughtered. 



Fracture of the Bones. — The sudden loss of sensation in a 

 foot may cause the animal to use violently the limb he has 

 for months past been carefully nursing. It may be that 

 the lameness for which the operation has been performed 

 has been due to disease existing in the navicular bone, and 

 extending, perhaps, to the os pedis. By the disease the 

 bone has already been made brittle, its substance and 

 ligamentous attachments perchance weakened and broken 

 up by a slow-spreading caries, and rarefaction of the 

 remaining bone substance rendered almost certain. In this 

 instance, the free use of the foot, and the application to 

 the diseased structures of an unwonted pressure immedi- 

 ately after the operation results in fracture. With the rupture 

 of the structures we get the elevated toe and soft swelling 

 in the heel, as described in gelatinous degeneration. 

 Treatment, of course, is out of the question. 



Neuroma. A further sequel is the appearance at the seat 

 of the operation of what is termed an ' amputational 

 neuroma.' This is a tumour-like growth occurring on the 

 end of the divided nerve. It is composed of connective- 



* Veterinary Record, vol. iv., p. 386 (Hobday). 



