242 
LAMENESS IN HORSES. 
occasionally practised this operation many years ago ; and I (Mr. 
Castley) have heard it said, but I know not how far that may be 
correct, some other person in Scotland.” The earliest intimation 
I had myself of the operation was, many years ago, through some 
articles on the subject in the Sporting Magazine, by Professor 
Dick. I must confess, at the time, the operation, so purely me- 
chanical, and so far unsurgical, as it appeared in my eyes, created 
in my mind anything but a favourable impression. In theory I 
felt myself decidedly opposed to it. Nor was it anything short of 
putting it with m 3 ' own hand to the test that convinced me of its 
efficacy, without its being followed by those unpropitious conse- 
quences which in my own imagination I had conjured up as so 
many drawbacks against such an operation.” 
Mentioning the subject, in May 1833, to Mr. Cherry — the pre- 
sent Principal Veterinary Surgeon of the Army — it was resolved 
between us that the operation should be put to the test ; and he 
having at the time a young ass in his possession, proposed that the 
animal should be subjected to an experiment which certainly en- 
tailed but little pain, and out of which benefit to science seemed 
likely to arise without the necessity of permanently laming or 
even of much disfiguring the animal. Accordingly, both flexor 
tendons of one fore leg were divided with a scalpel, and with them, 
unfortunately, owing to a struggle made at the instant, the meta- 
carpal artery. The division at once let down the heel of the hoof 
more completely upon the ground, while the toe inclined to turn 
up; and when the animal came to walk, the toe, no longer being 
employable as a fulcrum, every time the maimed limb had to move 
forward, the body sank down on that side as though it would have 
fallen to the ground had it not been for the instantaneous transfer 
of the weight upon the opposite (fore) leg. A compress was ap- 
plied upon the leg to stanch the hemorrhage; after which was 
effected, the animal was turned out to take its chance, without any 
bandage or application whatever to the incised leg. In this con- 
dition, under circumstances apparently little favourable to union, 
still did Nature’s resources prove amply sufficient to heal up the 
wounded parts ; and, in the course of time, to restore normal ac- 
tion: insomuch that Mr. Cherry kept the ass for his lifetime after- 
wards, using him for carrying his children, drawing a small water- 
cart, &c. 
CONTRACTED Sinews — which means contracted muscles — be- 
ing the name given to the case for which TENOTOMY is performed, 
and it being, so far as this operation is concerned, an unique case, 
it will become my duty here to give some account of it. Of the 
two sets of muscles provided for the motions of the fore limb, one 
set, the flexors , bend the leg and foot; while the other set, the ex - 
