580 
INFLAMMATION OF THE FLEXOR TENDONS. 
sui face lying close to the tendon of the flexor pedis perforans, and 
is pushed between this and the suspensory ligament until it can be felt 
at the other side. Its cutting edge is then turned against the flexor 
peifoians, the phalanx extended by a rope or by an assistant pulling 
it forward, and the tendon divided by slowly lowering the hand in the 
dilection of the cannon bone. Should the ends of the tendon not 
retract after complete section, adhesions with the perforatus tendon 
piobably exist, and must then be divided in a similar way. 
Ly introducing the tenotome close to the perforans tendon the danger 
of injuring the large metacarpal artery is avoided. Sometimes small 
cutaneous and subcutaneous veins are 
divided, causing a little bleeding, but this 
is of no consequence. The surface of the 
wound is then washed with sublimate solu¬ 
tion, a tampon of jute applied to the little 
incision, the limb surrounded with subli¬ 
mate wood-wool or similar material, a cir¬ 
cular bandage applied, and the horse allowed 
to rise. If the operation is to prove suc¬ 
cessful, the fetlock-joint ought now to 
appear moderately extended. 
Provided the dressing is not wet through 
by discharge, it may be left in position for 
a week, when the skin wound will be found 
completely closed. The dressing may also 
be saturated with sublimate solution and 
changed the next day; it must, of course, 
be changed should it become wet through 
with blood. After removing it the leg should 
be rinsed with sublimate, carbolic or creolin 
solution, any blood-clots washed away, and a fresh dressing applied. 
With these precautions antisepsis is maintained without difficulty, 
even if the metacarpal artery has been cut through. In the event of 
such an accident, the dressing must be very tightly applied, moistened 
with sublimate, and changed, with proper precautions, in twenty-four 
to forty-eight hours. 
As a rule, healing proceeds much better where only the flexor per¬ 
forans is divided. The animal’s usefulness is sooner restored, and, in 
consequence of weight being placed on the limb at an earlier period, 
excessive contraction of the cicatricial tissue is less to be feared. Where 
the flexor perforatus is also divided excessive dorsal flexion may occur, 
or the animal may prove unable to stand on the limb, and fresh con¬ 
traction take place. For this reason tenotomy often fails; but it is 
Fig. 215. —To illustrate the 
peculiar gait after tenotomy. 
The horse treads on the bulbs 
of the heel. 
