NEUROTOMY. 159 



foot or alteration of shape, and the seat of which could not be ascertained, 

 although probably existing between the navicular bone and the back tendon 

 that plays over it, neurotomy may be resorted to with decided advantage. 



Mischief, however, will result from the operation if the pastern or coffin 

 joints are perfectly stiff, because the concussion occasioned by the forcible 

 contact of the foot with the ground, and unbroken by the play of the joints, 

 must necessarily still more injure the bone. When the sole of the foot is con- 

 vex or pumiced, the effect of neurotomy will be most destructive. The sole, 

 scarcely able to bear the pressure of the coffin-bone, even when pain induces 

 the animal to put his foot as gently as possible on the ground, being forced 

 below its natural situation, would be speedily worn through and destroyed. 

 So if inflammation existed, although its pain might be removed, yet its progress 

 would be quickened by the bruising to which the parts might be subjected ; and 

 more especially would this be the case, if there was any ulceration of the liga- 

 ments or cartilages. 



The unfettered shoe of Mr. Turner being adopted, at least so far as we can 

 have it unfettered — attached to the foot on one side alone, and the inner quarter 

 being left free — the foot gradually regains its original healthy form, and, when, 

 in process of time, a new portion of nerve is produced, and the sensibility of 

 the foot re-established, the horse continues to be sound. To some extent, 

 immediate good effect is produced as it regards the actual disease. We remove 

 that general constitutional irritability which long-continued pain occasions, and 

 which heightens and perpetuates local disease. We obtain for the patient an 

 interval of repose, and every local ailment soon subsides or disappears, and the 

 whole constitution becomes invigorated. 



Mr. Percivall relates two valuable cases of this. A mare with contracted 

 feet was never subject to periodical osstrum, and her owner lamented in vain 

 that he could not breed from her. She underwent the operation of neurotomy 

 and became an excellent brood mare. A stallion with many a good point 

 about him was useless in the stud : he was suffering from some disease in the 

 feet. A portion of the nerve was excised — his constitution underwent a com- 

 plete change, and he became sire to a numerous and valuable progeny. 



By the operation of neurotomy we destroy pain ; and we may safely calculate 

 on the simple effect of that, whether local or constitutional ; and, limiting our 

 expectations to this, we shall rarely be disappointed. 



The operation of neurotomy having been performed, has the veterinary 

 surgeon nothing else to do ? He has got rid of the pain which attended the 

 ossified cartilage — the ring-bone and the anchylosis of the pastern and the coffin- 

 joints ; shall he be satisfied with the benefit he has obtained, great as it is ? 

 He will, or he should now try whether his former means and appliances have 

 not more power. He will see whether, by means of his blister or his firing- 

 iron — the effect of which humanity forbade him to put to the full test before 

 — he cannot rouse the absorbents to increased and more efficient action, and 

 not only arrest the progress of the bony tumour, but remove it. He will 

 not merely suffer the usefulness of his patient to depend on the continued sus- 

 pension of feeling, but he will assure it by the partial or total removal of the 

 morbid growth. 



In contraction of the foot, shall he be satisfied with removing the agony 

 occasioned by the constant pressure of the horn on the sensitive substance inter- 

 posed between it and the coffin-bone ? Shall he leave future improvement to 

 the slow process of nature, or shall he not take advantage of the insensibility 

 which he has produced, and pare the sole thoroughly out, and rasp the quarters 

 to the very quick, and apply the unfettered shoe ? When he has produced a 

 disposition to contraction, and some degree of it, should he not actively blister 



