216 VETERINARY SURGICAL OPERATIONS 



whole distal stump out of the incision. Division distally 

 then completes the resection. 



There is no intention here to claim any special merit 

 for any one of these methods over the others. Each one has 

 its failures as well as its victories. The latter, however, has 

 given us the highest percentage of cures, but the number of 

 cases specially observed for differentiation has not been suf- 

 ficient to warrant a final decision in its favor. 



Fourth Step. — If but a subcutaneous diyision of the 

 tendon has been made the operation is completed by simply 

 covering the small incision with collodion or clay dressing. 

 A dab of iodoform is also sufficient if renewed daily for a 

 few days. When either of the other methods is used a 

 stitch to the incision will be required to prevent- a scar. 



AFTER-CARE.— The stitch is removed at the usual 

 time. In the meantime the horse is turned into the loose box 

 for a week and then given slight exercise for another week. 

 At the end of the second week he may be returned to his 

 usual work without harm or without danger of distracting 

 from the final results. Some time always elapses before 

 any benefit is observed. There is often a marked amelior- 

 ation as late as six weeks after the operation has been per- 

 formed, and it is sel.dom that any perceptible modification 

 of the flexion occurs 'sooner than two weeks. Sometimes 

 the cure is not permanent. The symptom may subside 

 markedly during the first and second months and then re- 

 turn in a more exaggerated form than ever. 



ACCIDENTS AND SEQUELiE.— Septic complications 

 extending into the tarsal articulations is the only serious 

 sequela?, and this is of rare occurrence. If the operation is 

 carefully performed with regard to surgical cleanliness 

 it will be indeed very rare. Sometimes a pronounced tume- 

 faction at or immediately below the seat of operation de- 

 velops after some weeks. This sequel is due both to a septic 

 wound and to the irritation caused by friction of the distal 

 stump. As stated above, the stump should be very short, 

 (one-half an inch) or long (one and one-half inches or 

 longer). 



The only accident we have ever known to occur is the 

 accidental division of the extensor pedis tendon, resulting 

 from a sudden jerk of the leg as the knife, — a scalpel, — was 

 being passed under the tendon from behind forward. The 

 prevention is found in passing the bistoury in the opposite 

 direction as previously recommended. When the operation 

 was first introduced a certain veterinarian- deliberately di- 



