214 VETERINARY SURGICAL OPERATIONS 



tural tendency to resent restraint threatens interference with 

 the successful execution of the technique. As most 

 string-halt horses are well broken, and as the disease is not so 

 frequent in unbroken, unworked animals, the operation is 

 usually very easily performed in the standing posture. 



TECHNIQUE.— First Step.— Locating the Seat of Oper- 

 ation. — The antero-external aspect of the leg at the superior 

 part of the upper third of the metatarsus is the surgical field. 

 In this area the tendon of the peroneus can be plainly felt ex- 

 tending in an oblique direction upward and slightly back- 

 ward from the point of its insertion to the extensor pedis. 

 It rolls under the ringers tips, when pressed against the bone 

 beneath. Its caliber is that of a small lead pencil, but it is 

 slightly flattened from side to side. When traced upward 

 by palpation it is gradually lost as it surmounts the tarsal 

 bones. The division of the tendon, or its partial resection, 

 is effected at any point between its insertion to the tendon of 

 the extensor pedis and the point above where it is lost in 

 the tarsal fascia. It is advisable to divide it as near the in- 

 sertion as possible, or as far from it as possible, in order to 

 leave either a very short distal stump or else one long 

 enough to preserve the sheath in which it plays. A distal 

 stump of an inch, by moving up and down with each con- 

 traction of the extensor pedis, will sometimes develop a pro- 

 nounced tumefaction below the seat of operation. These 

 presents are particularly important when a part of the ten- 

 don is resected, and much less important when the tendon 

 is simply divided subcutaneously. 



Second Step. — Disinfecting and Anaesthetizing the Field. 

 — The field is clipped, shaved, washed with mercuric chloride 

 solution, 1-500, and then anaesthetized by subcutaneous in- 

 jections of cocaine solution 5%. The anaesthetic solution 

 is distributed under the tendon as well as subcutaneously, 

 in order to anaesthetize every part touched with the knife. 



Third Step. — Dividing or Resecting the Tendon. — Some 

 veterinarians prefer simple subcutaneous division of the ten- 

 don, while others claim better results when a portion is re- 

 sected (tenectomy). The former procedure is very simple. 

 As soon as the cocaine solution has effectually anaesthetized 

 the parts a small point of entrance is made in the skin 

 with the point of the scalpel, along the anterior border of 

 the tendon, that is in the space between it and the tendon 

 of the extensor pedis. The point of entrance is made deep. 

 The point of the scalpel should touch the bone, so as to 

 complete the channel for the probe-pointed bistoury, as 



