LAMENESS IN HORSES. 
247 
lest, after the healing takes place, the tendons become as contracted 
again as before the operation. During the healing season, inflam- 
mation of the limb will be kept within due bounds by the usual 
remedies. 
The Success or Non-success of Tenotomy will depend on 
a variety of circumstances, most of which will, on due reflec- 
tion, prove to be within the control of the veterinary surgeon. 
Of course the first, and indeed chief, consideration with him will 
be the fitness or non-fitness of the subject for such an operation. 
If he be called on to operate on a horse at every risk, in that case 
no responsibility can rest with him. On the other hand, when 
called on for an opinion, he will have to use both great judgment 
and great caution in giving one. Cases in which mal-position is 
clearly owing to anchylosis, though it be but partial, of the fetlock, 
or pastern, or coffin-joint, are irremediable in this way. Neither 
can cases of contracted limbs of many years’ standing in aged 
horses be undertaken with any great hopes of affording relief. 
Nor indeed should very young horses, whose limbs have become 
crooked from over-growth and weakness, be made the subjects; 
since their deformities, like those of children, admit very frequently 
of relief by other and simpler means, and with the accession of 
strength, with aids of art appropriate for them, right themselves. 
Tenotomy may likewise fail of success from the operation being 
unskilfully or ineffectually performed. Or, the after-treatment 
may prove injudicious or even hurtful, frustrating the good which 
the operation would otherwise have certainly effected. 
The utmost we can expect from Tenotomy is to render a 
horse useful for certain purposes, who, before the performance of 
the operation on him, was in a condition of utter uselessness. If we 
restore a cart-horse to the plough where the land makes his work 
comparatively light; — if we can make a used-up hunter serviceable 
for harrow or dung-cart ; — if we can send horses, good for nothing 
in their present state, to work in fly-boats, road vans, brick or sand 
mills, &c. &c., we most assuredly confer thereby, quoad hoc , good 
service on the public, to say nothing about the humanity of saving 
life whenever and wherever it may happen to be in jeopardy. As 
with neurotomy, we have had evidence of tenotomy being over- 
valued and misapplied. Each operation has its legitimate sphere 
of applicability and usefulness ; to carry it beyond which is to bring 
it, undeservedly, into disrepute. Wisely applied and skilfully 
performed both operations will redound to the credit of their intro- 
ducers — Professors Sewell and Dick — wheresoever, and so long 
as ever, the veterinary art is practised. 
