676 OPEEATIONS. 



" When neurotomy of both fore feet is indicated, it is prudent 

 to allow a few days' interval to elapse after the operation in one 

 leg, before performing on the other " (Pencil and Toussaint). 



After " un-nerving " a foot, special care should be taken, for a 

 couple of months at least, not to subject it to violent concussion, 

 and great attention should be devoted to its shoeing and general 

 management. 



In the event of fracture of the navicular bone, after neurotomy, 

 there is elevation of the toe of the foot, which does not occur in 

 cases that have not been operated upon. Such a fracture not un- 

 frequently happens when the bone has suffered for a long time, 

 from navicular disease. 



After neurotomy, there is generally an increase of growth of 

 horn, on account of the division of the sensory nerves causing 

 'dilatation of the blood-vessels, and, also, by reason of the animal 

 bringing the foot more into use. 



Periosteotomy. 



See p. 242. 



Pulse, Feeling the. 



The pulse is usually taken at the lower jaw; its character, 

 there, being better marked than at other convenient situations. 

 The artery (submaxillary) may be felt underneath the lower jaw, 

 a little in front of the fleshy part of the cheek. On jiassing the 

 fingers of the hand over the spot, twO' vessels can be distinguished 

 lying closely together ; one, the duct which conveys saliva from 

 the parotid gland into the mouth ; the other, the artery (the 

 facial) which mainly supplies the face Avith blood. The middle 

 finger should be applied so as to gently press the artery against 

 the inner surface of the bone. The ball of the thumb should 

 not be placed on the outside of the jaw, lest the operator might 

 mistake the pulsation of the artery of his thumb for that of the 

 horse's artery. 



The following description of observing the pulse at other 

 J (laces, has been kindly placed at my disposal by Professor 

 Vaughan. 



The pulse at the sub-zygomatic artery, which is the easiest of 



all to feel, can be taken by placing the pad of the middle finger 



gently on the horse's cheek, a little in front of the posterior edge 



■ of the lower jaw-bone, and about an inch below its joint. The 



proper spot is about 4 inches below the ear. 



Very frequently the indication of the artery of the fore-arm 

 (the posterior radial) is the one adopted. This vessel is on the 



