DIVISION OF THE FLEXOR TENDON. 207 
L. to this surgeon; and I am sorry that it caused a lasting 
alienation between us. 
I mention this circumstance, in order to encourage the younger 
members of the profession to cherish a spirit of inquiry and of 
legitimate experiment, and especially on a subject so interesting 
and praiseworthy as the improvement of our noble profession. 
I will not, however, farther extend my observations, but con- 
clude with assuring you, that I always have been, and shall 
remain, The Veterinarian’s sincere friend and well-wisher. 
SUCCESSFUL CASE OF DIVISION OF THE FLEXOR 
TENDON IN THE HIND LEG. 
By Mr. Cowell, of Hatfield Peverill. 
The history of this case, previous to the operation, I trust will 
not be uninteresting to your readers. In the spring of 1833, a 
three-years-old grey gelding, the property of a gentleman in the 
vicinity of Chelmsford, became unmanageable whilst harrowing, 
and received a puncture in the off hind leg from one of the har- 
row teeth, which severely injured the flexor tendon. I enlarged 
the external wound, and applied a poultice for about a fortnight ; 
at the expiration of which time he was apparently quite reco- 
vered. When, however, he was put to work, the lameness reap- 
peared. I then blistered the leg, and ordered him two months’ 
run at grass, after which I wished him to be put to light plough- 
ing. Contrary to my wishes, they took him to carting clay from 
a very deep pit, and in a few days he could scarcely hobble across 
the yard. 
I advised the application of the cautery, to which the owner 
would not consent, but very uncourteously, without informing me 
of his intentions, sent for a veterinary surgeon from Chelmsford, 
who fired the leg very lightly, so that the lines were scarcely 
perceptible. He gradually got worse ; and in about six months 
the case was given up by my successor as incurable, with the heel 
elevated at the least two inches from the ground. 
I was again requested to attend the case. Thinking deep 
firing and a mechanical shoe would succeed, I gave it a trial. 
The horse got much better, and was put to work ; but the heel 
soon regained its former position. 
I now determined to divide the tendon, which was done on the 
25th of March, 1835. The tendon was supported by a thick- 
heeled shoe ; a temporary bandage was applied to the incision 
for about a month, after which the horse.was turned out to grass 
