728 EXAMINING FOR SOUNDNESS. 



allowed to dwell too long in its course, an incorrect impression 

 may, very possibly, be formed. It is a slovenly and somewhat 

 ridiculous procedure to squat down and feel a leg with both hands, 

 one to the front, the other to the rear, at the same time. When 

 feeling the off-fore, the left hand should go down the front of the 

 leg ; and the right, the back of the limb. 



EXAMINATION FOR HIGH PLANTAR NEURECTOMY, see 

 p. 681. 



EXAMINATION FOR MEDIAN NEURECTOMY.— WheTi a 

 veterinary surgeon is examining a horse, it is necessary for him to 

 find out if this operation has been performed. On this important 

 subject. Professor Hobday- writes as follows in the " Veterinary 

 Record " of 2nd April, 1898 : " Whilst agreeing that the scar must 

 be looked for, I do not think, from an experience of more than 150 

 median neurectomies, that if this exists it would be of any value 

 to test sensation in or around the knee joint. One of the things 

 which seem to surprise the " knowing " client most is that when 

 tested in the usual manner with a pin or sharp instrument on the 

 inside of the leg, the animal, in by far the majority of instances, 

 still gives evidence of feeling the stimulus. 



" In many oases, particularly in dark bay, brown or black horses, 

 it is a matter of" the greatest difficulty to find the scar, and in 

 some instances I am sure that even the most careful examiner 

 would pass it over if he trusted to that alone; but what is to be 

 searched for in addition is the hole in the faschia covering the 

 internal metacarpal flexor, this faschia having been cut through in 

 order to expose the median nerve. 



" Mr. Browning, M.R.C.V.S., one of the College tutors, was the 

 first to make this observation in the Free Clinique, and now we 

 always rely upon it. This hole can be felt, if present, by applying 

 the point of the index or little finger over the region where the 

 operation has been performed. It is rare for this test to fail to 

 enable one to give a decided opinion, for if the space in the faschia 

 is filled up by a small hernia of muscle tissue the latter yields on 

 pressure, but if a neuroma blocks the way (and we have met with 

 this in one or two cases), excessive pain is caused." 



Seventh Stage. 



Remove the shoes, and examine for corns, seedy-toe, bruises of 

 the sole, and other ailments of the feet. Test the rigidity of the 

 sole, and apply the pincers all round, to see if there is any soreness. 



