738 
DISEASES OF THE HOCK. 
muscle. This muscle is separated first from the tendinous, then 
from the muscular, portion of the flexor metatarsi, on the anterior 
suiface of which the anterior tibial nerve is readily discovered. A 
fragment of this, ^ of an inch to 1^ inch in length, is excised. 
The wound is closed by a few cutaneous sutures, with or without 
providing for drainage. The operation is easy. It is, however, always 
necessary to proceed methodically, and to take care not to injure 
the tibial vein, which thrusts the muscular portion of the flexor 
Fros. 271 and 272. Neurectomy of the anterior tibial nerve. E A, Extensor pedis muscle; 
EL, tendinous poition of flexor metatarsi; F M, muscular portion of flexor metatarsi; 
IS, anterior tibial nerve ; \ , anterior tibial vein ; A, anterior tibial artery. (The operation 
should be performed a little nearer the hock than indicated on tig. 271.) 
metatarsi prominently forwards as soon as the extensor pedis is 
reflected. 
Neurectomy of the posterior tibial nerve is performed as follows 
lhe neive is discovered on the inner side of the hind limb about 4 
inches above the point of the hock, where it passes downward just in front 
of the Achilles tendon. By grasping the tendon from behind and allowing 
the soft tissues gradually to slip between the fingers and thumb, the 
nerve can be felt as a firm cord. At this point it lies about 1 to 1J inch 
m front of the Achilles tendon, and rather nearer the inner side of the 
limb, from which the operation is performed. 
lhe horse is cast with the affected limb undermost, and the upper hind 
limb is fixed to the upper fore, so as to leave the field of operation clear. 
To check bleeding a rubber cord may be tightly applied about the 
middle of the lower thigh. A liberal space around the seat of operation 
is shaved, washed and disinfected, and about 4 inches above the top of 
