148 NEUROTOMY. 



the aid of cocaine, otherwise cast, or secure on the operating 

 table, on the affected side and extend the tarsus. Shave 

 and disinfect an area 5 to 6 cm. square on the inferior median 

 surface of the hock over the course of the cunean tendon of 

 the chief flexor of the metatarsus, as indicated in Plate 

 XXIV. Ivocate the tendon, CT, by palpation as it passes 

 obliquely downward and backward and make a transverse 

 incision about i cm. below its inferior border at a point 

 midway between the anterior and posterior borders of the 

 hock, or slightly anterior thereto, the "width of the scalpel 

 blade. Push the tenotome flatwise between the skin and 

 tendon, as shown in the plate, force it upwards to the 

 superior border of the tendon, then turn the cutting edge 

 toward it and elevating the handle, using the superior border 

 of the wound as a fulcrum, cut the tendon through from 

 without inwards. By firm pressure upon the tenotome in 

 the latter method periosteotomy is simultaneously accom- 

 plished. The completion of the operation is evidenced by 

 the separation of the cut ends of the tendon leaving a well- 

 marked depression at the point of division. Disinfect the 

 wound, apply an antiseptic bandage resting upon the fetlock 

 and allow to remain undisturbed for six days. Healing by 

 primary union. After the incision through the skin has 

 been made, the Peters' knife may be used instead of the 

 straight scalpel, and the tendon and periosteum cut through 

 at two or three different points, the cuts diverging upwards 

 from the cutaneous wound, V-shaped. 



NEDROTOMY. 



General Remarks. Neurotomy is performed for a vari- 

 ety of objects, such as the relief of pain in a sensitive nerve 

 itself, as in trifacial neurotomy, 10, pp. 55-6, the relief of 

 pain or lameness in a part supplied by a sensory nerve, or 

 the inhibition of motor power, as in the "cribbing" opera- 

 tion'. 



