THE 
VETERINARIAN. 
VOL. XXIII, 
No. 269. 
MAY 1850. 
Third Series, 
No. 29. 
LAMENESS IN HORSES. 
By William Percivall, M.R.C.S. and F.& 
Tenotomy. 
(. Division of the Flexor Tendons.) 
Definition. — TO say nothing of the valuable elucidations 
human anatomy and physiology have from time to time received 
from the investigation of the structures of different animals, and the 
varieties in their general economy, we may take occasion to remark 
here, that the operation we are about to take into our considera- 
tion appears to be of purely veterinary origin and growth, and 
that for any utility it may have turned out to be to the surgeon, 
he stands debtor to the science and practice of the veterinary 
surgeon. So long ago as the time of Vegetius, horses were “ said 
to be stiff-limbed,” suffering “ from a contraction of the nerves 
( tendons ) in their feet,” treading “ with the tops of their hoofs,” 
having “ their joints rigid and stiff,” unable to “ set their hoofs 
full upon the ground.” And though since the age in which this 
father of veterinary medicine lived, “ stiffness of limb” or “ stiff 
legs” has found mention in works on farriery, with some ridiculous 
nostrum for their relaxation and relief, yet has the description, 
brief as it is, remained, in a practical view, unsurpassed, and the 
ailment without a remedy, up to the time of the improvement which 
farriery in our own country underwent some few years anterior to 
the introduction of veterinary medicine as a science. 
ALL THE history I am able to glean of the suggestion and prac- 
tice of an operation which has proved — so far as remedy can be 
expected to turn out — of effective service in such distortion of limb, 
is to be found in the third volume of The VETERINARIAN (for 
1830.) In a communication therein ° of the Edinburgh Veterinary 
School,” from the late Mr. Castley, at page 309, we read that 
“ Mr. Dick’s (the present veterinary professor at Edinburgh) father 
VOL. XXIll. k k 
