242 
EXTRACTS FROM MY CASE-BOOK. 
effects of the high and low operations, and their respective ap¬ 
plicability to individual cases, when he remarked, that the horses 
in question were almost ineffective in their present state, and 
asked me if (for the sake of experiment), I could see any objec¬ 
tion to a repetition of the operation above the fetlock, After 
some little conversation, it was arranged that neurotomy should 
again be tried without loss of time; accordingly both horses 
were ordered to my infirmary at Southampton, to be immedi¬ 
ately placed under preparative treatment. 
14 th, —To-day the patients were operated upon above the fet¬ 
lock, 
Nov, 10 th ,—Turned out into the park. 
In January last the above horses were taken up, and immedi¬ 
ately got into working condition. Neither of them have shewn 
the slightest lameness, but they appear to have as good use of 
their legs as though they were perfectly sound. How long this 
may continue it is not for me to say. With regard to the return 
of the lameness to so great an extent after the original operation, 
it becomes a question of considerable practical interest to ascer¬ 
tain the cause. Its gradual re-appearance would strongly incline 
one to think that it must have been brought about by a revival 
of the nervous function, either by means of anastomoses with 
some of the numerous neighbouring branches, or by a communi¬ 
cation between the divided ends of the nerve. Inferring that a 
portion was actually excised, I should rather adopt the former 
proposition; and if that is really the case, it speaks volumes in 
favour of the high operation; because when the main branch of 
the nerve is divided, or a portion of it excised, the only way in 
which sensation can be re-established, is by the transmission of 
the nervous fluid along the course of the original trunk; anasto¬ 
moses, in this case, being almost out of the question. This, 
however, is a point which dissection alone can render clear to 
us; but, as it appears to me to be of no small practical im¬ 
portance, I shall not let pass any opportunity of thoroughly 
investigating it. 
No. X. 
NEUROTOMY. 
Dec . 18, 1833.—A very old but splendid bay horse, belonging 
to -Lamprey, Esq. has been sadly lame in the off fore foot 
for some months* Endless plans of treatment have been adopted 
with him, but all have proved useless. To-day I was consulted 
about him, and as it was pretty clear that the day for setting 
him right had gone by, 1 recommended neurotomy. This was 
