OPERATIONS ON THE FOOT 91 
favourite mode of applying dressings is by means of the 
syringe, and no better instrument for all cases can be found 
than that known as a quittor syringe (Fig. 56). 
A further mode of applying dressing, and one frequently 
practised in connection with the foot, is known as ‘plug- 
ging.’ This is almost sufficiently indicated by its name. 
It consists in rolling portions of the dressing into. little 
cylinders, wrapped round with thin paper, and introduced 
into a sinus or other position where considered necessary. 
D. PLANTAR NEURECTOMY. 
As a last resort in the treatment of many diseases of the 
foot the operation of neurectomy is often advised. It will 
be wise, therefore, to insert a description of the operation 
here. 
Derivation of the Word.—For many years the operation 
was known simply as ‘ nerving’ or ‘ unnerving,’ and it was 
not until 1823, at the suggestion of Dr. George Pearson, 
that Percival introduced the word neurotomy to signify the 
operation with which we are now about to deal. The word 
neurotomy, however, used strictly, means the act or practice 
of dissection of nerves, and, when applied to the operation 
as practised to-day, describes only a step in the procedure. 
As the operation really consists in cutting down upon, 
and afterwards excising a portion of the nerve, the modern 
appellation of newrectomy—trom the Greek newron, a nerve ; 
and tome, a cutting, signifying the cutting out of a nerve 
or the portion of a nerve—is far more suitable. 
According as the nerve operated on is the plantar or 
the median, the operation is known as plantar or median 
neurectomy. 
History of the Operation.—lt is to two English veteri- 
narians that we owe the introduction of the operation to 
the veterinary world. In 1819 Professor Sewell announced 
himself as the originator of neurotomy. This claim was 
disputed by Moorcraft, who appears to have successfully 
shown himself to be the real person entitled to that 
