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352 DISEASES OF THE HORSE’S FOOT 
of the operation as originally introduced. In all, however, 
the preliminary steps are the same. We shall therefore 
describe them collectively, as applying correctly to either of 
the three methods of operating we are about to show. 
Preparation of the Subject and Preliminary Steps in the 
Operation.—On the day previous to the operation the horn 
of the wall immediately over the cartilage must be so 
thinned with a rasp as to yield readily to pressure of the 
thumb in any position. It should be so thin as to only 
just avoid wounding the sensitive structures below. 
The whole of the foot must then be thoroughly cleansed, 
and rendered as nearly aseptic as possible. The use of 
warm water, soap, and a stiff brush is the readiest means 
of removing the surface dirt. Afterwards the foot should 
be soaked for some time in a reliable antiseptic solution, 
a 1 in 1,000 solution of perchloride of mercury being 
the most suitable. When removed from the solution the 
foot must be packed round with wool or tow impregnated 
with corrosive sublimate, and then bandaged, the whole 
afterwards wrapped in a thick cloth, or protected with a 
book 
On the following day the animal is brought out and cast, 
and the foot desired to be operated on firmly secured, after 
the manner described on-». 81. The bandages and subli- 
mate pads are then removed, and the skin of the coronet 
over the seat of operation shaved of hair. An tHsmar-+ 
rubber bandage is next run up the limb, and the tourniquet 
applied, thus rendering the operation a nearly bloodless one. 
This done, the animal is chloroformed, and an antiseptic 
douche played over the foot. 
So far, the steps in the operation are common to all 
methods. There are now, however, three slightly differing 
modes of extirpating the cartilage, which modes vary simply 
according to the structures severed by the knife. 
First Method.—This is the oldest method of the three, 
and consists in making (1) a horizontal incision through the 
sensitive lamine along the lower border of the cartilage, 
and (2) a vertical incision through the skin of the coronet, 
