200 VETERINARY SURGICAL OPERATIONS 



period of post-operative convalescence, markedly limits the 

 number of suitable surgical subjects. 



EQUIPMENT.— Division of the tendons is best effected 

 with a special bistoury, (Fig. 5) curved slightly, probe- 

 pointed, with a cutting edge extending to the very end. 

 This knife is identical to the ordinary probe-pointed, curved 

 bistoury, with the exception that the rounded protuberances 

 at each side of the end of the blade are absent. The essen- 

 tials are those required for any surgical operation; i. e., 

 antiseptics, scalpel, razor, clippers, soap and bandages. Spe- 

 cial pains is taken to sterilize the scalpel and bistoury. 



RESTRAINT.— The operation is performed in the 

 lateral recumbent position, with the deformed leg upper- 

 most, and brought out at a right angle with the long axis.of 

 the body. The operating table and casting harness are both 

 suitable methods. The leg is fixed with a strap or rope 

 extending from the lower part of the middle third of the 

 radius to a stationary point posteriorly, — the hopple of a 

 hind leg or the frame of the table, and a second rope looped 

 around the pastern and brought forward around the heel of 

 the foot. This second rope is given into the hands of one 

 or two strong assistants, who are instructed to pull with 

 their might while the tendons are being divided. This ten- 

 sion facilitates the cutting. The only appropriate anaes- 

 thesia is general anaesthesia, but as the operation is a brief 

 one, attended with no torturing pain, this precaution may 

 well be omitted. Local anaesthesia is ineffectual, on account 

 of the impossibility of bringing the solution in contact with 

 all of the tissues to be incised. Mere subcutaneous cocaini- 

 zation is of no service whatever during the crucial part of 

 the operation, the cutting of the tendons. It is much better 

 to restrain the leg by force, omitting all anaesthesia. 



TECHNIQUE.— First Step.— Locating the Seat of 

 Operation. — The point of entrance for the bistoury is lo- 

 cated about one inch above the trapezium in the grooved 

 depression that can be felt with the finger tips between the 

 tendons of the external and middle flexors. The groove is 

 not a distinct one, except on firm pressure, when the skin 

 is found to push inward slightly between the tendons. Dis- 

 tinct palpation of each tendon is prevented by the firmness 

 of the antibrachial fascia. 



Second Step. — Disinfecting the Field. — The hair is 

 clipped, shaved, and the skin well washed with mercuric 

 chloride solution 1-500, over a liberal surface around the. 

 point selected. It is important to execute this step well, with 



