222 DISEASES OF THE HORSE'S FOOT 



or with the point of the drawing-knife. In this case the 

 only after-treatment called for is the application of suitable 

 antiseptic dressings. 



When necrosis of the plantar aponeurosis has occurred. 

 We have already pointed out the tendency there is in this 

 case for the wound to maintain a fistulous character, and 

 lead to the formation of abscesses in the hollow of the heel. 

 With a wound in this position, as with a wound in any 

 other, the only method of avoiding this termination consists 

 in removing all that is visibly diseased, whether it be soft 

 structures, bone, ligament, or tendon, and giving the wound 

 free drainage. 



This can only be done by removing the horny sole and 

 frog, and cutting boldly down upon the structures beneath. 

 The operation is known as resection of the plantar apo- 

 neurosis, or the complete operation for gathered nail. 



Practised for some years on the Continent, this operation, 

 on account of its gravity, has been avoided by English 

 veterinarians. From reported cases, however, it appears 

 often to be followed by success. 



That there is a large element of risk in the operation 

 is quite evident, if only from the two facts mentioned be- 

 neath : 



1. That the close attachment of the plantar aponeurosis 

 to the navicular bursa, and the nearness of both to the 

 pedal articulation, render penetration of a synovial sac or 

 a joint cavity extremely likely. 



2. That there is always great difficulty in maintaining 

 strict asepsis of the foot, more especially if it is a hind one. 



On the other hand, it may be argued that equal risk to 

 the patient is run in allowing him to remain with a disease 

 (and that disease a progressive one) of the structures so 

 closely antiguous to the navicular bursa and the pedal 

 articulation. 



If only for that reason we give the operation brief men- 

 tion here. 



The animal is prepared in the usual way for the operating 

 bed ; the foot soaked for a day or two previously in a strong 



