330 VETERINARY SURGICAL OPERATIONS 



as can be easily reached is removed in this manner in every 

 direction from the incision, providing the curette can be 

 easily passed beneath the edge. When the curette can no 

 longer hook up the edge by passing easily under it, the resec- 

 tion may be considered complete enough as this indicates 

 that all the diseased part has been removed. 



The curette is then directed into the orifice from above, 

 and all of the old granulations of the tract are scraped out 

 except those "contiguous to the articulation at the bottom 

 and inner part of the sinus. The close proximity of the cap- 

 sule of the pedal articulation and the synovial membrane of 

 the navicular sheath must never be -forgotten. 



Fourth Step. — Inserting the Seton. — The cavity and 

 tract are now syringed out with pure tincture of iodine and a 

 sterilized seton of muslin large enough to fit moderately 

 tight into the tract is inserted and tied in a loop. 



Fifth Step. — Bandaging. — The orifices are then wadded 

 and 'an aseptic bandage applied to prevent bleeding. 



AFTER-CARE. — The after-care consists of daily injec- 

 tions of tincture of iodine along the course of the seton, 

 which is turned in and out at each dressing. Iodoform is 

 sprinkled freely over the seton and over each orifice, and 

 boric acid in abundance is held in place with cotton and the 

 bandage is applied so as to cover the whole affected quarter. 

 At the end of twenty days the seton is removed and the 

 tract prevented from cicatrizing too rapidly by daily injec- 

 tions of permanganate of potash and zinc sulphate in strong 

 solution. 



SEQUELAE. — (i) Articular complications may follow 

 improper use of the curette in excising the cartilage or the 

 infection from filthy methods of operating or after-care. 



(2) The most common untoward result is the recur- 

 rence of the quittor from the onward progress of the inflam- 

 mation to other parts of the cartilage, which event necessi- 

 tates a second operation at the end of about forty days. 



Radical Operation for Poll-Evil. 



DEFINITION. — A resection of the ligamentum nucha; 

 from its attachment on the occiput backward to the level of 

 the dentata. 



INDICATIONS.-Poll-evil may be defined, without fear 

 of successful contradiction, as a necrosis of the anterior por- 

 tion of the ligamentum nuclide. Although it may possibly 

 sometimes have its origin as a bursitis between the ligament 



