AND NERVE OPERATION. 
493 
so unreasonably expected from it; and although, in consequence 
of so many failures, it has now fallen comparatively into disuse, 
yet still I think we may venture to pronounce, that it will not only 
survive, but live, and ever remain a useful operation, and ought 
by no means to be discarded. 
If several years of experience have shown us some of our errors, 
we shall now be enabled, by a more judicious selection of sub¬ 
jects, in a great measure to avoid them. And thus, in future, by 
being careful never to compromise the operation, we may in time 
remove the prejudice that has been raised in the public mind 
against it: we shall restore confidence, and overcome the objec¬ 
tions that many persons feel against its being practised, even under 
any circumstances. 
Now, if every one would contribute his mite of practical facts 
and observations, we should be likely soon to come at the truth: 
we should know, from the testimony of many, the particular cases 
in which the nerve operation has most generally succeeded, as 
well as those in which it has more commonly failed. Such a 
course would benefit the many; for, after all, practical facts are 
our best land-marks—our surest guides; they afford us the best 
rule for our proceedings. And as we have now not only one, but 
two periodical publications of our own, we cannot be at a loss for 
a medium through which to communicate with each other, and to 
make such useful information common to all. If we do this in 
the spirit of candour, -without any disposition to wrangle or find 
fault with each other, we shall be sure to add not only to our 
own knowledge, but to the welfare of the profession at large. 
I shall just commence this subject, then, by saying, that, as far 
as my own experience in this matter goes, I have found neurotomy 
succeed best in cases where lameness is confined to one foot only, 
in which there may be some alteration of structure, but where 
there is little or no contraction of the hoof. 
I subjoin an account of two cases of this sort, in which the 
operation seems to have succeeded as well as its most sanguine 
friends could wish ; and which, together with these observations, 
you are at liberty to publish, if you think this paper worth inser¬ 
tion, in the periodical to which you contribute. 
CASE I. 
On the 1st of October, 1819, a bay gelding, then five years 
old, belonging to the regiment in which I have the honour to 
serve, fell suddenly lame of the near fore leg on the road be¬ 
tween Hounslow barracks and Hampton Court. He was ridden 
by a serjeant, who reported that, in going through Bushy Park at 
a moderate trot, his horse became all at once very lame; that he 
3 s 
