CAUDAL MYECTOMY. 83 



tion. If this has not been attained examine carefully and 

 sever any remaining bundles of muscle, and this not sufficing 

 repeat the operation as before at another point 5 or 6 cm. 

 above or below the first, severing the muscle again. Or if 

 the depres.sor appears implicated, sever it in a similar manner. 

 In extreme cases the entire lateral half of muscles, tendons 

 and aponeurosis may be severed. Apply an anti.septic pad 

 to the wound and retain it by a moderately firm bandage, 

 which serves at once as an occlusive dressing and effective 

 hemostatic. Remove the bandage after 24 hours. 



22. CAUDAL MYECTOMY. 

 Fig. 6 and Plate XIII. 



Objects. For the prevention of the gripping of the reins 

 by the tail. 



Instruments. Elastic bandage, elastic ligature, straight 

 bistoury, tenacula, absorbent cotton, bandages, disinfecting 

 material. 



Technic. Confine the animal in lateral decubitis or in 

 stocks, cleanse and disinfect the tail, apply the elastic bandage 

 tightly to it beginning at the apex and continuing to its 

 base and then apply the elastic ligature as close as po.ssible 

 to the root of the tail. Have an assistant hold the tail up- 

 wards, i. e., dorsalwards, and tightly .stretched. Make an 

 incLsion 15 to 20 cm. long, over the middle of the inferior 

 surface of each depre.ssor longus muscle, beginning close 

 against the elajstic ligature and extending toward the apex, 

 severing at once the skin and caudal fascia down to the 

 muscle. Let an assistant retract the lips of the incision with 

 tenacula while the operator dissects ^the depre,s.sor longus 

 mu.scle, DC, Plate XIII, from the adjacent tissues at either 

 side, sever it by a transver.se incision close against the liga- 



