150 VETERINARY SURGICAL OPERATIONS 



the seat of incision, flood the region with water to wash off 

 loosened hairs, bathe the denuded spot with a strong solution 

 of mercuric chloride (1-500) for some moments, and then 

 dry the surface by washing with pure alcohol. When the 

 alcohol has evaporated the rubber tourniquet is wound 

 tightly around the upper third of the metacarpus and the 

 operation proper is begun. 



Third Step.— Locating and Dissecting the Nerve. — An in- 

 cision through the skin one-half inch in length is sufficient if 

 the lower position (just above the fetlock) is selected, for 

 here the nerve is superficial and easily found. The exact 

 location is determined by palpation, as mentioned in the pre- 



Fig. 92 — Position of Incision for High Plantar Neurotomy. 



ceding step. At the point thus indicated the scalpel is car- 

 ried through the skin, exposing the subcutem at one firm, 

 deliberate stroke. The skin must be cut completely through 

 from one angle of the wound to the other so as to expose 

 the underlying tissues throughout its entire length, and thus 

 allow as much space as is possible for the subsequent dissec- 

 tion. When this incision is perfected one edge of the wound 

 is stretched to the side with the dissecting forceps, and as the 

 assistant bails out all of the blood, a few gentle longitudinal 

 strokes with the scalpel will usually bring the glistening, 

 whitish ribbon-like nerve into view. If this result is not im- 

 mediately forthcoming, similar search is made at different 

 points of the wound whose range is widened at will with the 



