PLANTAR NEURECTOMY 143 



50% alcohol, and apply a bandage saturated with sublimate 

 or creolin solutiou to the fetlock joint 24 hrs. before the 

 operation in order to secure an aseptic field. 



Confine the animal and fix the limb as in the preceding 

 operation. After removing the disinfecting bandage, pro- 

 ducing local anaesthesia and causing constriction of the 

 arteries by adrenalin, pass the fingers from before to behind 

 with light pressure over the region just above the fetlock 

 joint, where there is felt immediately in front of the flexor 

 pedis tendon a channel-like depression extending from 

 above the fetlock downward over it. Just at the anterior 

 margin of the flexor pedis tendon and at the posterior part 

 of the groove, lies the cordlike vascular bundle, consisting 

 from behind to before, of the nerve, ;^, 3 mm. thick, and of 

 the plantar artery and the vein, v, which glides away from 

 underneath the fingers with a distinct recoil. The site of 

 operation lies immediately above the fetlock in the posterior 

 third of the metacarpus. In special cases one may operate 

 at any point higher up as far as beyond the middle of the 

 metacarpus or metatarsus, so long as care is taken to include 

 the anastomosing branch given off by the median plantar 

 nerve at about the middle of the metacarpus and bending 

 obliquely around behind the tendons to join the lateral 

 nerve somewhat lower down. At the point designated stretch 

 the skin between the thumb and index finger of one hand 

 and make an incision 3 to 5 cm. long, the lower angle of 

 which is usually just above the fetlock joint, cutting directly 

 through the skin, subcutem and connective tissue sheath 

 down onto the nerve, laying it bare. The borders of the 

 cutaneous wound are held apart with tenacula and by pal- 

 pation with the fingers or by vision it is determined if the 

 nerve lies in the middle of the wound. If necessary con- 

 tinue the dissection with the scalpel until the nerve is 

 clearly revealed ; it is distinguished by its nacrous white 

 <;olor, its fine longitudinal striae and its location immediately 

 behind the metacarpal artery. 



