302 



OPEEATIONS OH MUSCLES AND THEIE ANNEXES. 



FlO. 318.— Caudal Der- 

 matome. 



Fia. 319.— Cau- 

 dal Myotome. 



Fig. 320.— Bre bill z^3Mol of 

 Operation. 



The American, or Subcutaneous Method. — This requires but a 

 single instrument, viz.: a strong, straight tenotomy knife. The 

 operator, having the animal ia the usual position, vsdth the taU 

 under proper control, and holding his knife flat full in the hand, 

 plunges it flatwise through the skin, with the sharp edge turned 

 downward, from without inward, measuring carefully to intro- 

 duce it at about the separation of the lateral and inferior caudal 

 muscles, and pushing it as nearly as possible between the mass of 

 the muscle and the vertebrae. When the instrument has pene- 

 trated to near the median Une, the sharp edge of the instrument 

 is, by a twist of the hand, turned perpendicularly in the direction 

 of the muscle, and by a careful sawing motion, the division of its 

 fibers is accomplished. This is easily detected by a peculiar crack- 

 ing sound, which ceases as soon as the entire thickness of the 

 muscle is divided. The edge of the instrument can then readUy be 

 felt under the skin. The cutting must be carefully done in order 

 to avoid the division of the entire thickness of the skin. A second 

 and third division must follow, the number being equal on each 

 side. 



There is also another subcutaneous mode, practiced by Ger- 



