208 VETERINARY SURGICAL OPERATIONS 



adhesions will stubbornly resist any ordinary force that can 

 be applied. Under such circumstances additional help is en- 

 listed. The full strength of two, of ever three, strong men 

 may be required, each one pulling upon the rope with one 

 foot against the dorsal surface of the leg. No matter how 

 much force is required the volar flexion must be straight- 

 ened. To simply sever the tendons without effecting this 

 reposition is useless. 



Sixth Step.— Applying the Supporting Bandage. — The 

 amount of support required to prevent the fetlock from 

 breaking down altogether into an exaggerated dorsal flexion 

 and the turning up of the toe, will vary greatly in each case. 

 It sometimes happens that no bandage supporting is nec- 

 essary. The remaining adhesions may be sufficient to retain 

 the fetlock at the proper angle. Frequently the deformity 

 is only partially corrected by the traction and the weight of 

 the body gradually forces the phalanges to the proper in- 

 clination. This is particularly the case when only the per- 

 forans is severed. 



Usually, however, it is necessary to support the artic- 

 ulations with a substantial bandage. A thick wrap of firm 

 muslin bandages extending from the carpus to the foot par- 

 tially covering the latter is an appropriate support for the 

 first week. 



Seventh Step.— Shaping the Hoof.— This part of the 

 operation, which may be executed before or immediately 

 after the preceding steps, is demanded, because of the ex- 

 cessive growth of the heels in all cases of chronic volar flex- 

 ion. The heels of the hoof, not being in wear, elongate in 

 proportion to the degree and the duration of the deformity. 

 They are sometimes four or even six inches long. 



It is probably advisable to shape the hoof with the hoof- 

 chisel, hoof-nippers and hoof-knife as a preliminary step be- 

 fore the patient is placed in the recumbent position. Once 

 cast, these instruments cannot be as conveniently used. An- 

 other method, however, is to reduce the hoof to its proper 

 dimensions with a saw while in the recumbent position, after 

 the other steps have been completed. 



AFTER-CARE. — The patient is given the preference of 

 standing or lying at will in an ordinary loose box. The mus- 

 lin bandage is not disturbed for six or seven 'days unless 

 swelling or pain supervenes, which circumstance would ne- 

 cessitate readjustment. At the end of the first week the mus- 

 lin bandage is replaced by a hard retention bandage of insula- 

 tion tape (see p. 497), which is removed at end of third week. 



