OPERATIONS—DIVISION OF THE TENDONS. 459 
affected; but the author remembers no instance of one fore leg being 
alone involved. 
When a tendon is sprained, it is usual to apply stimulating or fiery 
mixtures to that part, winding up the treatment with blisters and the 
heated iron. Notwithstanding such measures are very seldom success- 
ful, man seems incapable of learning anything where another has to 
bear the torture, and he will often endure a great deal of agony him- 
self before an obvious idea can be awakened. 
Such slowness is, however, very lamentable in the case of the horse. 
Division of the tendons was borrowed from the human surgeon by the 
veterinary practitioner. The operation, however, till very lately, re- 
mained as it was originally adopted. Human surgery had advanced ; 
but veterinary practice stood motionless. At length, Mr. Varnell came 
from America, and instructed veterinarians in an improved mode of 
operating, which at this date should be universally practiced. 
THE KNIFE EMPLOYED BY MR. VARNELL, THE POSITION OF THE LEG WHEN THE 
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT THZ ROYAL KNIFE IS INSERTED. 
VETERINARY COLLEGE. 
A stout knife with a probed point, a curved blade, and a smooth, 
rounded back, is first obtained. Before the blade is inserted, the skin is 
divided, at the point selected for the operation, by the slight puncture 
of a lancet. 
The leg is then flexed; the tendons are, by the position of the limb, 
rendered flaccid. The knife is next inserted sideways, behind the nerve 
and artery, under the tendons. This last act is not, however, in prac- 
tice, very easy or very safe. 
