332 
TRANSACTIONS AT THE ALFORT SCHOOL 
hardly to be expected to be found in any person but a 
working smith : saving it be a French Y. S., who, by edu- 
cation, is compelled to acquire it. M. Rey exhibits this 
savoir-faire in a conspicuous degree. He has shown himself, 
in his work, a blacksmith as well as a veterinary surgeon. 
Foreign Department. 
EXTRACT FROM THE COMPTE-RENDU (REPORT) OF THE 
TRANSACTIONS AT THE ALFORT SCHOOL DURING THE 
SCHOLASTIC YEAR 1851-52. 
Clinical Chair — Neurotomy. 
During this year this operation has been performed in 
many and various cases, with the especial view of palliating 
the consequences of navicularthritis. We deem it, therefore, 
not out of place here to call to mind the indication of 
neurotomy, together with the general rules which ought to 
direct the practice of it. 
Neurotomy is indicated whenever the foot becomes the 
seat of chronic disease, productive of pain, and consequently of 
lameness, existing without the accompaniment of any material 
alteration in the orgasm such as would oppose mechanical 
obstacle of an insurmountable kind to the functions of the 
foot, as part and parcel of the locomotive apparatus. To 
demand neurotomy, pain must be the essential element in the 
complaint ; and from this pain the lameness result, and not 
from any physical alterations disease may have produced in 
the foot. 
Against no other kinds of lameness is neurotomy effectual : 
it is therefore vain and useless to pretend to employ it 
against lamenesses which must for ever exist, even after the 
cessation of all pain in the part. Such, to us, appears the base 
upon which the practice of neurotomy must mainly repose. 
This being the case, however, does it necessarily follow 
that neurotomy is to be at once had recourse to ? By no 
means. Neurotomy can, as a remedy, be regarded in no 
other light, than as one of extremity in the case. As 
general rule, recourse should be had to all other means, 
medical and surgical, as well as to the practice of shoeing, 
before any steps be taken towards neurotomy : it being at all 
times advisable to administer to the cure through other channels 
