SUBCUTANEOUS CAUDAL MYOTOMY 87 



23. SUBCUTANEOUS CAUDAL MYOTOMY 

 Fig. 35. 



Object. The correction of curved tail. 



Instruments. Sharp straight tenotome, bandage. 



Technic. The point or points of curvature and their ex- 

 tent are to be carefully noted by having the animal trotted 

 away from the operator. The curvature is generally due 

 to unequal development of the two levator or extensor 

 muscles, Fig. 35, e, though quite rarely the depressors, /, 

 may be implicated. 



Confine the animal in stocks, or in default of these, con- 

 trol by means of a twitch and sideline. Cleanse and disin- 

 fect the tail and have it sharply bent by an assistant in the 

 opposite direction to the curvature. I,ocate the longitudi- 

 nal furrow between the levator and depressor muscles on 

 what has now become the convex side and at the lower 

 margin of the levator and just above v, Fig. 35, insert the 

 tenotome at the most prominent part of curvature, the in- 

 cision being parallel with the muscle fibers, and push the 

 instrument entirely through the muscle to the vertebra, 

 then turning the cutting edge upwards, at the same time 

 advancing the point toward the median line, sever the en- 

 tire muscle. 



The superior lateral caudal artery, s, Fig. 35, bleeds pro- 

 fusely if severed, and wounding of it may usually be 

 avoided by withdrawing the tenotome a trifle in passing 

 that point. 



Wounding the skin over the muscular incision is avoided 

 by placing the thumb of the left hand over the line of in- 

 cision so the knife will be recognized as soon as the muscle 

 and caudal fascia are cut through. Remove the knife in the 

 same manner as introduced. Release the horse and have 

 him trotted again. If the operation- is suffi.cie7it, the tail 

 should curve in about the same degree as before, But in the 



