EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
419 
faithfully followed the instructions of him who first taught 
them this improvement in their art. Who this was we need 
scarcely mention at so advanced a period from the first 
promulgation of the discovery. Indeed, did we not imagine 
that we should be accused of a dereliction of what is due to 
that gentleman from the profession at large, and of esteem 
on our own part, we should think it unnecessary to state 
that to Mr. Sewell, Assistant- Professor to the Veterinary 
College, belong the merit, and the reward, resulting from its 
almost universal adoption. The most flattering testimony 
our discoverer could possibly have received, are the futile 
attempts that have been made to usurp the authorship of his 
production; the most solacing, the unequivocal marks of 
approbation conferred on it by a committee of the Governors 
of that institution, which is not a little benefited by the 
very extensive practical application of it.” 
After a very full exposition and defence of the operation, 
Mr. Percivall concludes in these remarkable, and we may 
add truth-turning-out, predictions : — 
“ In this point of view, its objects being thus circum- 
scribed, we dare prophecy that Neurotomy will be known as 
long as the veterinary art. It has hitherto stood the test of 
this capricious age, and weathered out the storm of dis- 
cordant opinion : it has ranked high in the estimation of its 
more enthusiastic advocates ; it has fallen into disgrace and 
comparative dread with those who have misapplied it ; it has 
now to rise to a certain point in the scale of veterinary sur- 
gery, where it will remain in despite of all future controversy.” 
In the very last and present numbers of the ‘ Veteri- 
narian 5 is a dissertation on Neurotomy by the eminent 
French Professor, Bouley, fully bearing out the verification 
of this passage. 
On the subject of Neurotomy the writer would fain add a 
word to what has gone before. The operation has, very 
undeservedly, of late fallen into disrepute, or rather disuse, 
partly from want of understanding its true value, but prin- 
cipally from that value having been overrated and abused. 
Notwithstanding, however, all this, it will one day recover 
again ; nay, with sensible practitioners it has recovered, or, 
perhaps, never has lost, its real utility and worth ; nay, the 
writer fears not to add, never will lose it . 
In 1835 Professor Sewell introduced a novel operation, — 
novel at least in veterinary practice, — to his professional 
brethren, for the cure or relief from pain of exostoses — such 
as splints, spavins, &c. — his account of which will be found 
in the eighth volume of the ‘Veterinarian/ Latterly, he 
became a great advocate for the practice of inserting setons 
