482 
animal pathology. 
veterinarian that, if not with equal ease, yet with considerable 
prospect of success, he may, over a very extensive class of ani- 
mals, relieve some of the worst pains the slaves of man are 
heirs to. 
Peculiarly adapted for the Horse . — There is a poweV — a com- 
mon agreement between every portion of the muscular system — 
by means of which the animal, whether still or in progression, 
preserves his equilibrium. The mind seems to have little or 
nothing to do with it. It is observed in the infant, ere the mind 
begins to exert its agency. It is a common agreement between 
every portion of the muscular system ; but the muscles of the 
extremities are most concerned. When, from any cause, a 
slight balancing of the frame commences, we are conscious of the 
muscles of the metatarsals and of the phalanges exerting them- 
selves, better to dispose the foot to the surface on which it 
stands, and better to dispose the superior structure to maintain 
its upright position. An operation like that which we perform 
on the horse, by depriving the metatarsal and palmar muscles of 
their power, would often endanger our safety ; but the foot of 
the horse seems, as it were, to be formed with a view to the ad- 
mission of this valuable palliative. It is covered by an insen- 
sible crust, which admits of little change of form ; or if it did, 
the unyielding iron which we have applied to it would altogether 
prevent that minute but effective play and adaptation of parts 
which so mysteriously yet perfectly avert all common danger. 
There is not a muscle about the foot of the horse, nor a part that 
can be injured except the sensible sole and frog, and that organ- 
ized vascular substance interposed between the crust and the 
coffin-bone. These last are important parts, but will rarely be 
seriously affected by any of the consequences of Neurotomy, ex- 
cept they had been previously diseased, or disposed to take on 
inflammation. 
The altered Action produced by 'Neurotomy . — Much has been 
said of the altered and dangerous action produced by Neurotomy. 
There can be no doubt that when the horse is thus suddenly 
relieved from agonizing pain he adopts a higher and bolder 
action than he had previously been accustomed to, and perhaps 
long or habitually retains it. There can be no doubt that, the 
sensibility of the foot being nearly or quite destroyed, a concus- 
sion accompanies its contact with 1 id, unpleasant to the 
magnified far beyond the truth. It is seldom that even by the 
high operation the whole of the sensibility of the foot is de- 
stroyed. In the low operation it never is altogether removed. 
In either case, some nervous branches may descend from the 
rider, and somewhat dangerous 
however, has been 
