THE LARGE METATARSAL ARTERY 203 



placed subcutaneously. It is accompanied by the very slender continua- 

 tion of the anterior tibial nerve. Just above the button of the external 

 splint bone the artery passes through the interval found between this 

 bone and the large metatarsal, and inclines towards the middle of the 

 posterior surface of the latter. In the angle between the two divisions 

 of the suspensory ligament it terminates by dividing into the external 

 and internal digital arteries. 



During its course the large metatarsal artery gives off a number of 

 collateral branches which are distributed to the skin and tendons on the 

 anterior aspect of the metatarsal region. One or more of these branches 

 are frequently found to be of considerable size. Branches are also dis- 

 tributed posteriorly to the tendons and other structures behind the 

 metatarsal bones. 



The superficial position of the large metatarsal artery on the outer 

 aspect of the limb, renders it particularly exposed to risk of injury. 

 Hasmorrhage from this vessel frequently follows kicks or blows received 

 over the cannon region. It is also a common complication of lacerated 

 wounds such as result from the animal's attempts to free the limb 

 when it has become fixed in a fence, particularly one of barbed wire. 

 Slight laceration of the vessel may be treated simply by applying anti- 

 septic dry dressing and then bandaging the part. Should it be necessary 

 to ligature the vessel at a higher level than the seat of the wound, the 

 vessel may be picked up by making an incision along the course of the 

 peroneal tendon, the exact position of which will be readily understood 

 by referring to the operation of peroneal tenotomy and the plate 

 illustrating it. 



The course, relations and distribution of the digital arteries corre- 

 spond with the description of the corresponding vessels of the fore 

 limb. 



