NEUROTOMY 



iw 



•upted stitch (Fig. 52) may be decided upon. The crucial 

 stitch gives somewhat the best results in that it leaves no 

 narks except the four points of entrance. 



After-Care. — Immediately after the operation, as soon as 

 the horse has returned to the standing position, the region 

 is well rinsed with mercuric chloride solution to rid the parts 

 of accumulated blood, litter, etc., that may be attached to 

 the field and surroundings, then a liberal wad of cotton well 

 saturated in mercuric chloride solution 1-500 is loosely bound 

 to the wounds with a muslin bandage. The horse is then 

 kept in the standing position for twenty-four hours, when 

 a liberal dry dressing of boric acid and iodoform is ap- 

 plied and retained with cotton and bandages. This dressing 



Fig. 81. 



Figs. 80 and 81— Structural Changes in the Navicular Bone in 

 Navicular Disease. 



is left undisturbed for five days, when it is removed to remove 

 the stitches. These are cut closely to the level of the skin 

 on one side of the wound and gently removed. The dry 

 dressing is re-applied for several days and then discontinued 



entirely. 



The neurotomized subject is ready for work in fourteen 

 days, but more time is advisable. In fact three or four 

 months' absolute rest in a paddock or pasture is none too 

 long if the best possible results are desired. The unnerved 

 parts are thus given ample time to accommodate themselves 

 to the new condition, the disease itself is given an opportun- 

 ity to heal, and all of the neuritis incident to cutting the nerve 

 trunk will have subsided. Plenty of rest under favorable 



