200 THE CANADIAN HOUSE 



able, and allowed some well-boiled gruel. No further inter- 

 ference is necessary, except to allow a free outlet for the urine, 

 which will escape partly by the wound and partly by the 

 urethra ; occasional introduction of the catheter may be 

 necessary until the bladder regains its power of contraction. 

 In a few weeks the urine ceases passing through the wound, 

 and escapes by its natural outlet, and the wound heals up. 



During recovery, when the inflammatory state of the system 

 consequent on the operation has subsided, he should be 

 liberally fed on good solid food, and have frequent small 

 doses of the mineral acids (nitro-muriatic) with a little 

 gentle exercise, which is to be increased as recovery pro- 

 gresses, and keeping the wound clean is all the after-treats 

 ment required when the case is favourable.* 



NEUROTOMY. 



This operation has been practised for more than half a 

 century ; but to the late Professor Sewell we are indebted 

 for bringing it prominently forward. Many objections have 

 been raised against it ; some in consequence of ignorance of 

 its action and effects, and others in consequence of mishaps 

 which have arisen from its injudicious application. 



It consists in excision of a portion of the nerve supplying 

 sensation to a part labouring under painful disease of an 

 otherwise incurable nature, the effect of which is to destroy 

 all sensation or feeling, without, however, interfering, as some 

 suppose, with the nutrition or other functions of the part. 

 It is applicable to any part of the body in which it is practic- 



* In October 1865, we operated on a gray pony belonging to 

 Mr James Gunn, IngersoU, from which we removed an oxalate of 

 lime calculus, weighing nearly three ounces. The pony is now as 

 well as ever, and has never been off his work since the middle of 

 December. For an account of the case, see Canada Farmer, January 

 1st, 1866. 



