736 
DISEASES OF THE HOCK. 
deeply (fig. 268, b). Moller has often broken the knife when pressing it 
into the bone, but never had any bad result. 
A clinique offers few chances of collecting reliable statistics of the 
results of such operations. When the patient was not returned, Moller 
considered the result to have been favourable, and on that basis had no 
hesitation in describing periosteotomy as thoroughly effective. Very few 
cases were sent back as uncured; and amongst those that were traced, 
many had remained for years free from lameness. Failing success by this 
method, the pointed cautery may sometimes be found of more service. Its 
use is without danger, the large exostoses preventing it entering the joint. 
Klemm’s method of dividing the flexor metatarsi muscle 3 or 4 inches 
Fig. 269.—Horizontal section through the hind limb about the lower quarter of the tibia. 
a, Tendinous portion of ext. pedis muscle ; b, tendon of flexor accessorius; d, saphenous 
vein ; e, ant. tibial artery ; ff, anterior tibial veins ; g, ext. saphenous nerve and vein ; 
h, posterior tibial artery and veins ; i, anterior tibial nerve ; k, post, tibial nerve; 
l, branches of the int. saphenous nerve. 
above the hock-joint is, in Moller’s experience, useless. If divided 
completely, lameness follows similar to that after rupture of the muscle 
(see “Rupture of the Flexor Metatarsi ”). By giving four to six weeks’ rest, 
the joint may become anchylosed, and lameness disappear, but this often 
fails to occur. Partial section sometimes disguises the stringhalt-like 
lameness, but cannot cure the disease of the joint, and the owner generally 
returns after an interval to submit the horse to further treatment. 
In the Prussian army the actual cautery has, during the last few 
years, been largely used in treating spavin, the successes numbering 
about 60 per cent. The method recommended consists in perforating 
the bursa with a pyriform iron, which is passed into the bone. Peri¬ 
osteotomy proved of less value. It must, however, be remembered that 
