130 VETERINARY SURGICAL OPERATIONS 



ideal subjects for neurotomy under any circumstances. These 

 animals will seldom survive the ordeal for any great length 

 of time. Often the first clay's work will prove their undoing, 

 but more often they break down a few weeks after the opera- 

 tion. Such horses become suitable subjects only when they 

 are given more favorable occupations after the operation. In 

 districts where osteoporosis is prevalent the surgical subject 

 must be selected with greater caution, as in this instance dis- 

 solution of the unnerved parts is certain to occur early after 

 the operation. Mules are less welcome subjects than horses, , 

 other things being equal. Wrenching of the attachments 

 of tendons is a common termination of the neurotomized 

 mule. 



SEQUELS AND ACCIDENTS.-The sequelae and ac- 

 cidents of the various neurotomies are (i) breaking down of 

 the diseased unnerved parts; (2) return of the lameness; (3) 

 unsightly and painful cicatrices; (4) neuromas, so-called; (5) 

 haemorrhage ; (6) shock; (7) failure to cure the lameness. 



1. Breaking Down of the Diseased Unnerved Parts. — 

 This sequel is by far the most serious incident attending 

 neurotomy. It is the feature that has so often brought the 

 operation and the operator into disrepute. The sequel ap- 

 pears at any time from two days to two years after the opera- 

 tion. In the acute lameness, severe lameness or the flat- 

 drop-sole" foot affected with laminitis, it comes early and runs 

 a short, fatal course, while in the chronic lameness the acci- 

 dent may be long delayed and will appear gradually. In the 

 former event it takes either the form of shedding of the hoof 

 or loosening of the plantar aponeurosis. The hoof first 

 loosens around the coronet and then finally is cast off entirely, 

 leaving only the keratogenous membrane to support weight. 

 When the plantar aponeurosis loses its attachment the condi- 

 tion is manifested by dropping of the fetlock, which continues 

 rapidly until the ergot touches the floor and the toe is turned 

 upwards, or upwards and to one side. There is also consider- 

 able swelling of the leg upwards and more or less lameness 

 and suppuration of the exposed tissues. The patient sickens 

 and dies from exhaustion or is destroyed to end its existence. 

 In the chronic form of break-down the condition presents an 

 entirely different picture. The skin and hoof remain unbroken 

 and do not expose the subjacent structures. The first appear- 

 ance of the chronic case is tumefaction of the tendons and 

 synovials beneath the fetlock, followed by lameness of 

 greater or lesser intensity. As the patient continues to work 

 sometimes it may be intense enough to cause a break down, 



