310 
DIVISION OF THE FLEXOR TENDONS. 
and motionless, it was what I should call a hopeless case ; for I 
should say, no human ingenuity could overcome the resistance of 
the tendons to the return of the joint into its proper situation. 
In this instance, I think it is fair to infer, that there was a con¬ 
siderable shortening or contraction of the sinews ; and which may 
be accounted for by the long-continued or permanently relaxed 
position of the limb. 
After having cast and secured the animal, Mr. Dick proceeded 
to make a longitudinal incision, of about three inches in length, 
along the lateral and towards the back part of the tendons on 
the inside of the leg; then, dissecting the skin back a little, he 
felt for the artery, vein, and nerve, which with his finger he 
pushed back, at the same time introducing a scalpel between 
them and the tendons, and pushing it on by the back of the sus- 
pensary ligament, as far as the common integuments on the other 
side : he was thus enabled to execute the division of the tendons, 
not at one cut, but by drawing the knife backwards and forwards 
several times, being careful not to cut or wound the skin, or leave 
any other opening in it except that made by the first incision. 
And this, I think, is a matter of sufficient consequence to merit 
attention; for leaving the skin whole not only acts as a natural 
dressing and bandage over the part, but also covers what would 
otherwise be a great gaping wound, and prevents the consequent 
growth of fungus, or false granulations, during the healing process. 
Both the tendons being completely divided, and which, by the 
way, will be found to be a tougher job than some people may 
imagine, Mr. Dick proceeded to put back the pastern joint into 
its natural situation; and this he did by placing his knee against 
the front or projecting part of it, at the same time laying hold of 
the foot with one hand and the upper part of the leg with the 
other, and using considerable force, in the same manner as a 
person would do in breaking or bending a stick : and this appears 
to be necessary, in order to break down any membranous or liga¬ 
mentous adhesions that may have formed. The joint being ex¬ 
tended, and the limb thus made straight, the divided ends 
of. the tendons appeared to be separated from each other 
perhaps rather more than two inches. A slight elastic bandage, 
in the form of a stocking, was drawn over the leg, and the animal 
was ordered a dose of physic ; nor did any other treatment appear 
necessary, for (which rather surprised me) very little constitu¬ 
tional disturbance ensued ; and, except for the first twenty-four 
hours, the horse seemed to experience but little pain. When I 
left Edinburgh, about three weeks afterwards, the case was doing 
remarkably well: a bond of union was taking place between the 
