380 
EXPLANATORY REPLY. 
I recollect performing neurotomy twice on a carriage-horse 
of Lady Willoughby de Brookes. The horse went sound for 
two years afterwards, and it answered so far well, but at the 
expiration of that time the lameness returned, when her 
ladyship said she would have it again performed. I therefore 
excised the nerve a second time, taking away the portion 
that had healed, and the horse worked eighteen months after 
this. 
EXPLANATORY REPLY TO THE ABOVE 
COMMUNICATION. 
By G. Varnell, Assistant-Professor, Royal Veterinary 
College. 
My dear Sir, — Professor Morton has placed in my hands 
a paper from you on the subject of neurotomy. His doing 
so, doubtlessly, was in consequence of my name being men- 
tioned in it by you, and for which kind act I am extremely 
obliged to him. Your taking the subject up the way you 
have, to my mind, is quite consistent, and I am not at all 
surprised at your differing from the assertions I am reported 
to have made, all of which I deny. Neither have I authorised 
any individual to make any statement whatever from me 
respecting neurotomy. 
During the latter part of the past session, one of our pupils 
informed me that an article had appeared in Bell's Life , in 
which my name was mentioned ; but I did not read it. Had 
I done so, I should have felt bound to have contradicted the 
statements therein contained. I was glad, however, to be 
relieved from the necessity ; not wishing to argue the ques- 
tion with a person who evidently knows little or nothing of 
the subject, and could unwarrantably use the name of another, 
as he has mine, in the instance you allude to. 
In conclusion, I may add, that in every point of view 
respecting neurotomy, I agree with the remarks you have 
made ; especially your statement respecting the importance 
of selecting fit and proper cases to operate upon. 
Cases injudiciously selected, either through ignorance or a 
desire to operate upon anything for the sake of gain, have, I 
believe, brought a brilliant operation into disrepute. And 
such was likely to be the case, if I am to believe what the 
late Professor Sewell told me, namely, that a short time after 
the operation had become established, so many horses were 
unnerved for foot lameness, without any regard whatever to 
