202 - THE CANADIAN HOESE 



The artery vein and nerve occupy the same sheath. These 

 are felt for between the tendons and the bone. The spot for 

 the incision being selected, the hair is cut close off. He is 

 now cast, and the leg released or otherwise fixed to suit the 

 operator. A longitudinal incision, about an inch long, is 

 made through the skin, the cellular tissues are pushed aside, 

 and the artery vein and nerve exposed. The latter is easily 

 known by its white glistening appearance and sensitiveness 

 to touch or pressure. 



The neurotomy knife, or a blunt needle with a thread, is 

 passed under it, and it is severed: the upper cut being made 

 first, the part can then be cut out without pain. The edges 

 of the wound are brought together by a single suture. The 

 same is repeated on the other side, and on the other leg if 

 required. Cold water bandages .should be applied for some 

 time, and in a ,M^eek he is fit for work. Non-professionals 

 should never attempt this operation. 



TENOTOMY. 



As the name indicates, it consists in division of the ten- 

 dons in cases of morbid contraction giving rise to knuckling 

 over the fetlock, causing the whole weight to be thrown on 

 the toe. 



To the late Professor Dick belongs the credit of first 

 publicly introducing the operation, although, as he used to 

 remark in his lectures, it was previously performed by his 

 father ; yet until it was prominently introduced by himself 

 it was considered too formidable for general practice. 



An erroneous idea long existed that tendinous fibres would 

 not be reproduced : however, in the museum of the Edin- 

 burgh Veterinary College specimens may be seen in which 

 the reproduction of true tendinous fibres is so complete as to 

 defy the closesst observer to distinguish the point of division. 



