102 DISEASES OF THE HORSE’S FOOT 
the region supplied by the removed nerve, a sluggish and 
troublesome character. Difficult to deal with as wounds 
about the foot ordinarily are, they are rendered more so by 
a previous neurectomy. 
Gelatinous Degencration.—This is a condition liable to 
occur in cases where the operation has been too long 
deferred, and when considerable structural alteration has 
already taken place in the shape of diseased bone or 
tendon, more especially in navicular disease. It consists 
in a peculiar softening of the structures of the limb, 
accompanied with enlargement, due to swelling of the 
connective tissues, the enlargement and softening gener- 
ally making itself first apparent by a soft, pulpy swelling 
in the hollow of the heel. 
From this onwards the enlargement increases, and lame- 
ness becomes excessive, the animal going more and more 
on his heels, until, finally, no portion of the solar surface 
of the foot comes to the ground at all. 
The case is hopeless, and destruction should be advised. 
Reported Case.—‘ The patient, a brown carriage gelding, 
was brought to the Royal Veterinary College infirmary in a 
cart on December 31, the only previous history obtainable 
being that it had suddenly fallen lame a month before. 
‘The symptoms presented were excessive lameness of the 
near fore-limb. On being trotted, the toe was elevated each 
time the foot reached the ground, progression being entirely 
on the heels. Separation of the hoof for about 2 inches at the 
hinder part of the coronet; cedematous swelling from foot 
to knee, extending during the next three days to the elbow. 
Great tenderness between the knee and the fetlock ; below 
this no sensation whatever, as a pin was inserted in several 
places round the coronet without causing any symptoms of 
pain. On further examination, two unnerving scars were 
found. No treatment was adopted, and the horse was 
destroyed on January 6. 
‘On dissecting the leg, the following appearances pre- 
sented themselves : 
‘The limb was very much enlarged, due to thickening of 
