62 
NEUROTOMY. 
inflammation has been either altogether got rid of, or else sufficiently 
abated — by, in the case of the foot, taking blood from the toe, if 
that be necessary, and by hot or cold applications, poultices, &c. 
and physic, as the case may appear to require. In chronic cases, 
where blood-letting is not called for, standing in clay for so many 
hours a-day will prove an excellent refrigerent. 
In regard to disease of the navicular joint, there is another stage 
of it besides the inflammatory in which neurotomy is not to be 
performed, and that is the acute or active ulcerative condition of 
the articular surfaces. It must be evident to the smallest reflection 
that motion of the joint and pressure upon surfaces in such a con- 
dition cannot fail to be productive of the worst consequences: 
ulceration, aggravated by such abuse, will proceed with that re- 
doubled speed and malignancy, that, the union of the flexor per- 
forans tendon with the navicular bone being the especial seat of 
it, we need feel no surprise at rupture of tendon and dislocation of 
bone, and consequent breaking down of the horse. But, how is 
this ulcerated state of joint to be foretold] — how are we to know 
for certain that it exists ] The best indications of its presence to 
my mind are an inflammatory condition of foot — for acute ulcera- 
tion does not exist without inflammation, causing extreme soreness 
of tread : there is, with the excessive lameness present, a shrink- 
ing from, a sort of dread of, throwing the weight of the body upon 
the fore feet, and this is accompanied by the expression of great 
pain in the stable. In such a case as this, means should be used to 
disperse the inflammation, and absolute rest should be strictly 
enjoined, with the view of, if possible, in the absence of motion of 
the joint, inducing granulative action in the exulcerated parts. Nor 
should any operation be undertaken until the hoofs had become 
cool, and the soreness of tread had greatly abated. 
The Horse iame from the Effects of Laminitis, whose 
soles are so sunk that they give evidence of depression of the 
coffin bone, is not a fit subject for neurotomy. With (fore) feet in 
the condition his are, we may work some good by pressure upon 
the soles to the extent that the animal can bear it ; but, to deprive 
them of sensibility, and to induce the horse to use them the same 
as he would sound feet, would be certain destruction of them. 
After laminitis, when the sole is sunk across its middle, just ante- 
rior to the toe of the frog, the coffin bone is actually resting upon 
the sole, creating the force which causes the latter to bilge ; and 
what we are desirous of doing is, to take the weight off the sole 
from above, while we augment the force of pressure upon it from 
below. Neurotomy would defeat this object; and besides that, 
would force the coffin bone actually through the sole, and so prove 
the occasion of total destruction to the orgasm of the foot. 
