222 DISEASES OF THE HORSE’S FOOT 
or with the point of the drawing-knife. In this case the 
only after-treatment called for is the application of suitable 
antiseptic dressings. 
When necrosis of the plantar aponewrosis has occurred. 
We have already pointed out the tendency there is in this 
case for the wound to maintain a fistulous character, and 
lead to the formation of abscesses in the hollow of the heel. 
With a wound in this position, as with a wound in any 
other, the only method of avoiding this termination consists 
in removing all that is visibly diseased, whether it be soft 
structures, bone, ligament, or tendon, and giving the wound 
free drainage. 
This can only be done by removing the horny sole and 
frog, and cutting boldly down upon the structures beneath. 
The operation is known as resection of the plantar apo- 
neurosis, or the complete operation for gathered nail. 
Practised for some years on the Continent, this operation, 
on account of its gravity, has been avoided by English 
veterinarians. From reported cases, however, it appears 
often to be followed by success. 
That there is a large element of risk in the operation | 
is quite evident, if only from the two facts mentioned 
beneath : 
1. That the close attachment of the plantar aponeurosis 
to the navicular bursa, and the nearness of both to the 
pedal articulation, render penetration of a synovial sac or 
a joint cavity extremely likely. 
2. That there is always great difficulty in maintaining 
strict asepsis of the foot, more especially if it is a hind one. 
On the other hand, it may be argued that equal risk to 
the patient is run in allowing him to remain with a disease 
(and that disease a progressive one) of the structures so 
closely antiguous to the navicular bursa and the pedal 
articulation. 
If only for that reason we give the operation brief men- 
tion here. 
The animal is prepared in the usual way for the operating 
bed; the foot soaked for a day or two previously in a strong 
