NEUROTOMY. 131 



conditions when injured and as a result reparative changes 

 are prevented and supplanted by retrograde processes with 

 ultimate death of the part and of the animal. 



Nerves are generally accompanied by satellite arteries and 

 veins which are always liable to be wounded during the 

 operation and are more erabarassing because of the hemor- 

 rhage clouding the operation field and inviting error than 

 dangerous because of the loss of the blood itself. It is essen- 

 tial to a good operation that the hemorrhage be kept under 

 control throughout so that each tissue will stand out in good 

 relief and the nerve reveal its identity in addition to its loca- 

 tion, size and relations, by its intensely vvhite, nacrous, 

 Striated character. The test of comprcs.sing the nerve in 

 order to identify it by the resultant pain is nnsnrgical and 

 unnecessarily cruel. 



Sepsis holds an important place in cpnsideriug the dangers 

 of neurotomy because the infection of a sensitive nerve 

 causes very great pain and if considerable tends to cause a 

 false neuroma or fibroma in the connective tissue of the 

 nerve trunk, calling for a second operation in order to re- 

 move the tumor, and resultant lameness. 



Neurotomies should consequently be performed onlj' in 

 properly .selected ca.ses, the smallest possible trunk that will 

 sufficiently relieve the pain should be selected for the opera- 

 tion, it should be performed with due regard for suffering 

 and for asepsis, should be performed quickly and neatly, the 

 incisions being free, laying the nerve trunk bare without 

 tearing up the tissues and clouding theni and at every point 

 aim at celerity, accuracy and neatness. 



