CASES OF NEUROTOMY. 
132 
his fore feet ; they imparted almost a burning sensation to the 
hand, were very much contracted ; and the hoofs were polished 
as if by the hand of art, and nailed to them was a pair of heavy 
bar-shoes. He walked or rather hobbled to my stables ; when 
there, he very quickly lay down ; his hay and water were placed 
within reach. I left him until the next morning. I felt, indeed, 
pity for the poor sufferer, his situation appearing so deplorable, 
but still I did not much fancy operating upon feet apparently so 
actively diseased. I ascertained he had been in this state for 
some time, and no relief could be afforded him, still getting 
worse, and he was now absolutely useless and valueless. I at 
length made up my mind to brave the chance of what might 
follow. On the 19th of August I operated. After it was com- 
pleted he got up ; first walked away, then trotted quite free 
from bungling or lameness, to the delight and astonishment of 
the owner, and to other parties who were present, to witness the 
operation. As for myself, I never felt so thoroughly pleased, 
or saw so marked an effect : it was a great source of satisfac- 
tion to relieve the poor animal of such excruciating torments. 
He returned to the stables, and commenced feeding. Bandages 
were put on, and he was well littered up. This was of no use; for 
during that night, nor 1 believe for many subsequent nights and 
days, did he lie down ; he appeared like the poor tailor in the pit 
of the theatre, standing to rest himself. I observed the next day 
the temperature of his feet to be lowered considerably, so they 
continued up to the time he left my stables, they had reached 
the ordinary state : shewing satisfactorily, in this case, that not 
only did the part, being deprived of sensation, relieve pain, but 
also another symptom of inflammation — heat. The patient was 
turned into a marshy piece of land for two or three weeks ; 
taken up, got into condition, sent to his former work well and 
sound ; and is now, I am informed, doing better than he ever 
did before 
CASE VI. — Patient, bay gelding, six years old. Brought to 
me through the recommendation of the owner of Case I. Lame 
in both fore feet, which were of good form ; had been lame 
nearly a year, and subjected to treatment by different farriers. I 
operated a few days after the last date ; gave great satisfaction : 
no untoward symptoms followed; went to work in a fortnight ; 
since lost sight of him. 
CASE VII. — Patient, a very powerful bay gelding, nearly 
sixteen hands high, seven years old, property of a farmer re- 
siding about twenty miles from here : was very lame in the off 
fore foot, which was contracted, and got very small and up- 
right indeed, compared with the other : had been fired deeply ; 
was now too lame to work at any thing. The owner would be 
