OPERATIONS—NEUROTOMY. 453 
the frog. The anterior branch travels in front of the artery for some 
distance, when it takes a more forward course, dividing into several 
separate branches. 
The generality of operators remove about an inch of the main trunk 
before the nerve divides, or above the pastern; and the result certainly 
confirms the soundness of such a practice. 
The nerve of the frog is, however, frequently ex- 
cised. The objection to this is the junction of a 
filament of the anterior branch with the nerve below 
the excision. That union should deprive the opera- 
tion of all effect; but, notwithstanding, the division 
is sometimes beneficial. The operation is, however, 
never certain; and to that circumstance the propri- 
etor must make up his mind when he sanctions its 
performance. 
Always examine minutely any horse submitted to 
you for neurotomy. Do this to discover if the op- 
eration has been previously performed—the object 
being that you may thereby be prepared for some 
trouble in mastering the retentive consciousness of Hie GOUREE: OP ERD 
the animal; likewise, that by such inquiries you See eee 
may decide upon the benefit likely to result from PUP tr ren 
the operation; also, that you may be warned of a 
bloody and tedious job. The leg which has previously been subjected 
to neurotomy becomes doubly vascular. We know of no reason to 
account for this phenomenon, excepting it may denote the cost at which 
nature repairs her higher order of structures. 
AA, 
A HORIZONTAL INCISION, WITH THE HAIR A PERPENDICULAR INCISION, WITH THE HAIR OUT OFF 
CLIPPED ABOVE THE OPENING. ABOVE AND ON THE SIDES OF THE WOUND. 
Before you consent to operate upon any animal, examine the feet. If 
the hoof is weak or even weakly, refuse at once. If the hoof be strong 
and thick, the wall upright, and the frog small, you may consent, with 
the best hopes of success. Have such a horse put into the stable, and 
