1482 VETERINARY SURGICAL THERAPEUTICS. 
‘We will mention Zeriostocomy only to proscribe it. It-never gave but 
“bad results. 
When ringbones and sidebones remain rebel to the treatments we have: 
considered, neurotomy may be resorted to, to remove the lameness and. 
render the animal useful. 
Low neurotomy—the division of the posterior branch of the plantar: 
nerve—is not sufficient. The operation must be made above the fetlock,. 
‘so as to destroy the sensibility below it. 
To perform the metacarpal or metatarsal neurotomy, the animal is cast 
cand the leg secured accord- 
ingly. If the operation is to 
‘be made on both sides, the in- 
side is operated first ; the animal 
being turned over to complete 
the operation on the other side. 
When the fetlock and the 
inferior part of the cannon are 
free from disease, the nerve is 
‘readily felt, alongside the lateral 
face of the tendons,a little above 
the fetlock.. If the swelling 
prevent its detection, the line 
of the incision shall be made 
‘along the border of the cylin- 
-drical mass formed by the ten- 
dons. The region prepared, 
the skin and cellular tissue are 
divided (2% to 3 centimeters 
long); the nerve is isolated 
with the bistouri or the grooved 
director ; taken hold off with ‘i8-.110—High neurotomy, u, nerve; ¥, 
forceps, the bistouri is intro- . Und opera 
duced underneath it with sharp edge turned upwards, and the nerve 
divided towards the superior extremity of the incision; the free portion of 
the nerve is then amputated below. The wound is closed with one or two 
‘stitches, covered with collodion and a wadded dressing. 
Some horses, as soon as up, are free from lameness; in others, this. 
does not disappear except by degrees. When asepsy has been used there’ 
is no complication to fear ; cicatrization takes place rapidly. Sometimes. 
‘the lameness is only reduced, which is due to the recurrent sensibil- 
ity or a stiffness of the articulations; in these cases double or low neuro- 
tomy is indicated. It must be double where there are phalangeal peri- 
