CAUDAL MYOTOMY 231 



The seat of operation is washed with mercuric chloride 1-500, 

 after the inferior surface of the tail, the surrounding portion 

 of the buttocks and the pudendum have been cleansed with 

 soap and water. Braiding the tail hairs, while not absolutely 

 necessary, is helpful. 



Special attention to the hands is not necessary because 

 they do not contact the wound. 



If the sterilized tenetome, after having been used upon 

 one side of the tail, becomes accidentally soiled by touching 

 septic objects, the procedure should be delayed for a few 

 minutes, pending its re-disinfection. As regards the bandage, 

 it will be sufficient to immerse it in the mercuric chloride 

 solution from the time the preparatory step begins until 

 needed at the end of the operation. 



INSTRUMENTS, ETC.-The pricking knife, which is 

 nothing more than an ordinary narrow bladed tenetome, is 

 the only instrument required. This and a muslin bandage 

 three yards long completes the equipment, unless it is in- 

 tended to "pulley the tail ;" then a sash cord about twenty 

 feet long, two small pulleys and two six-pound weights must 



Fig. 121— Myotomy (Pricking) Knife. 



be provided and arranged on the stall beforehand, ready to 

 receive the patient as soon as the operation is over. 



If the operation is performed for lateral incurvation, then 

 a short piece of cord and a girth will be needed to tie the tail 

 to the opposite side. 



TECHNIQUE FOR BILATERAL CAUDAL MYOT- 

 OMY. — First Step. — Surgical Position. — The horse having 

 been properly restrained as above recommended, the tail dis- 

 infected and the sterilized tenetome placed within reach 

 upon a tray held by an. assistant, the first step is to take a 

 good hold of the tail about twelve inches from the root and 

 push it firmly over the back with the left hand, in which po- 

 sition it should be held until the whole operation is complete. 

 An assistant standing opposite the stifle can lend useful help 

 in maintaining this position by pulling forward upon the tail 

 hairs. 



Second Step. — Myotomy.— The division of the depressor 

 muscles is made subcutaneously ; the only external wound is 

 the small entrance point for the knife. The same wound will 

 answer to divide both sides. The location to select in order 

 to obtain the best results should be no more than one inch 



