BILATERAL DIGITAL NEUROTOMY 



159 



the knee to the hopple of the hind leg, and another around 

 the coronet to the hands of one or two strong assistants, who 

 pull forward. Another method adopted to advantage by 

 many surgeons consists of fixing the leg along its entire 

 length to a board. This method fixes the leg quite thor- 

 oughly by preventing flexion of the knee. The board may be 

 made to extend outward some distance from the foot so as 

 to give the assistant holding it more advantage. 



The English hopples are not as applicable to this opera- 

 tion as either of the above apparatuses, although they are 



Fig. 98. 

 Figs. 97 and 98 — Digital Neurotomy in the Standing Position. 

 Fi gm p7_ Position, of Operator and Assistant while Operating upon the Ex- 

 ternal Nerve. Fig. 98 — Position of Operator and Assistant while Ope- 

 rating upon Internal Nerve. 



very often used. The best advantage is taken by releasing 

 the affected leg from the hopple and then fixing it tightly to 

 the hind leg with a strap or rope. The disadvantage here is 

 found when the patient is rolled over to expose the opposite 

 side. The operating field will be found hidden beneath the 

 horse's body and is only made accessible after it is released 

 from its fixed position, far enough to bring it from under the 

 body. The leg is then found to have too much freedom for 

 careful surgical work. The board method above described 

 may, however, be resorted to with some degree of safety, but 



