422 
ANIMAL PATHOLOGY. 
render the operation of neurotomy altogether useless. The usual 
place of insertion is about as high above the fetlock as the origin 
of the communicating branch is below the knee. 
Destination of the Metacarpal Nerve . — As the metacarpal 
nerve proceeds down the leg, it sends minute ramifications to the 
inner side of the flexor tendons, and, just above, or almost on the 
fetlock, it gives off a branch which takes a direction forward 
and downward, and is distributed over the front of the pastern 
and on the coronet. It spreads into numerous minute ramifica- 
tions, in order to secure the distribution of nervous influence to 
parts so exposed and so important; and, what must never be 
forgotten when we are deliberating on the choice of spot at 
which we will operate, these ramifications have evident and 
somewhat numerous anastomoses with branches from the main 
body of the nerve continued below the fetlock. 
The Plantar Nerve . — The principal trunk of the nerve continues 
its course over and on the side of, or a little behind the fetlock, 
and there takes the name of the plantar nerve. One of its branches 
goes to the lateral cartilage, over which filaments are numerously 
dispersed. Another branch, a little lower, reaches the sensible 
frog ; another, still lower, and behind the lateral cartilage, pro- 
ceeds forward through a foramen in the ala of the coffin bone 
to the sensible laminae ; while the remaining body of the nerve 
enters a foramen in the posterior hollow of the os pedis, and its 
ultimate branches escape through small foramina around the 
edge of that bone, and are spread over the sole. You see this 
plainly in the specimens before you ; and when you have not a 
preparation at hand, and want to refresh your memories, you will 
find a most accurate account of the course of the metacarpal and 
plantar nerves in the veterinary anatomy of my esteemed friend, 
Mr. Percivall. 
The Ulnar Nerve is detached from the plexus between the 
radial and the spiral nerves. It also accompanies the humeral ar- 
tery for a certain distance, and takes its course towards the elbow in 
a line with the os humeri ; here, as Mr. Percivall truly describes 
it, the ulnar nerve runs over the inward and back part of the 
elbow, and passes down the arm, concealed by the posterior bor- 
der of the flexor of the metacarpus, in order to reach the back 
of the knee, where it is found under the posterior annular liga- 
ment, on the inner edge of the trapezium ; and at length it 
gains the border of the tendo-perforans, where it becomes the 
external metacarpal nerve. A little above the knee it gives off a 
branch which pierces through the fascia by which the body 
of the nerve is defended, and becomes subcutaneous. Short 
filaments penetrate into the knee-joint, but the main branch 
