DIGITAL NEURECTOMY 139 



Sepsis holds an important place in considering the dangers 

 of neurectomy because the infection of a sensitive nerve 

 causes very great pain and if considerable, tends to cause a 

 false neuroma or fibroma in the connective tissue of the 

 nerve trunk, calling for a second operation in order to re- 

 move the tumor, and resultant lameness. 



Neurectomies should consequently be performed only in 

 properly selected cases, the smallest possible trunk that will 

 sufficiently relieve the pain should be selected for the opera- 

 tion, it should be performed with due regard for suffering 

 and for asepsis, should be performed quickly and neatlj', the 

 incisions being free, laying the nerve trunk bare without tear- 

 ing up the tissues and clouding them and at every point the 

 operator should aim at celerity, accuracy and neatness. Neu- 

 rectomy is frequently unethical and the veterinarian who 

 values his good name, will be careful in selecting his clients 

 as well as his patients. Some owners of lame horses have 

 scant honor and ask the veterinarian to perform neurectomy 

 for the fundamental purpose of masking serious disease until 

 the animal may be sold. The veterinariau consciously or 

 unconsciously becomes a party to the deceit. He should, 

 therefore, operate only upon animals which he has ample 

 assurance will not be fraudulently sold. In case of any 

 question of the intent of the owner, he should be given 

 clearly to understand that no rule of professional secrecy is 

 binding upon the veterinarian and that under no avoidable 

 circumstances will he become a partner in the fraud. 



40. DIGITAL NEtTRECTOMY 

 Fig. 52 



Objects. The relief of navicular lameness in cases where 

 plantar neurectomy is not deemed necessary or advisable. 



Instruments. Razor, scissors, scalpel, probe-pointed bis- 

 toury, tenacula, aneurista needles, bandages, 



