CAUDAL MYECTOMY 89 



24. CAUDAL MYECTOMY 

 Figs. 35, 36 



Objects. For the prevention of the gripping of the reins 

 by the tail. 



Instruments. Elastic ligature, straight bistoury, tenacula, 

 absorbent cotton, bandages. 



Technic. Confine the animal in lateral decubitis or in 

 stocks, cleanse and disinfect the parts and apply the elastic 

 ligature as close as possible to the root of the tail. Have 

 an assistant hold the tail upward, i. e., dorsalward, and 

 tightly stretched. Make an incision 15 to 20 cm. long, over 

 the middle of the inferior surface of each depressor longus 

 muscle, beginning close against the elastic ligature and ex- 

 tending toward the apex, severing at once the skin and 

 caudal fascia down to the muscle. I<et au assistant retract 

 the lips of the incision, with tenacula while the operator 

 dissects the depressor longus muscle, DC, Fig. 36, from 

 the adjacent tissues at either side, sever it by a transverse 

 incision close against the ligature and dissect away the en- 

 tire muscle to the distal end of the wound and there excise 

 it. Repeat the operation on the opposite side. 



Make two elongated tampons of absorbent cotton, of the 

 size and form of the muscles removed, saturate these with 

 I- 1000 sublimate solution, insert neatly in the wounds and 

 over this, to aid in securing antisepsis and to equalize the 

 pressure, apply a pad of absorbent cotton, saturated with 

 sublimate solution, covering the wounds and encircling the 

 tail and secure by a moderately firm bandage as closely as 

 possible to the elastic ligature. Remove the ligature, when 

 hemorrhage may ensue, which is to be controlled by the 

 application of a second bandage extending higher up on the 

 tail. Remove the bandage in 24 hours and dress as before 

 for a second day, after which treat as an open wound. Care 



