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MANUAL OF MODERN FARMER!. 
a silk thread under it, raise it a small degree, and then 
dissect it from the cellular tissue beneath ; and when fairly 
felt, cut out about a quarter of an inch of it, making the 
first incision above, and the second cut will not be felt by the 
animal at all. The same must be performed on either side 
of the foot, as the nerves proceed down both sides. The 
sides of the wound are now brought together with a piece 
of adhesive plaster, and secured by a bandage. The head 
must then be tied up for a day or two. In less than a 
fortnight the horse will be fit for work. 
The operation of cutting the nerve may also prove of 
service for ring-bone, where the side cartilages become 
ossified, with partial stiffness of the pastern and coffin- 
joints. They will be more liable to recover their usual 
action in consequence of the animal using the foot freely, 
as he will not feel pain while in motion. Neurotomy may 
also prove of much advantage in long-continued lameness, 
where no unusual heat is discoverable, nor contraction or 
alteration in its form can be perceived ; neither will the 
extremely acute pain caused by the pressure of the horny 
crust on the sensible parts be longer felt, and the animal 
will be able to place his foot firmly and fully upon the 
ground : all appearance of lameness will be removed, and 
the ultimate result will be a partial restoration at least of 
the form and elasticity of the foot. 
The above are some of the benefits which will be derived 
from neurotomy ; but there are other cases where cutting the 
nerve would be attended with unfavourable results. When 
the pastern or coffin-joints are quite stiff and unyielding, if 
this operation were performed, the animal would naturally 
bring his foot to the ground with force, and the joints being 
divested of their natural elastic play, the bone would be 
still more injured. In inflammation or ulceration of the 
