OPERATION OF TENOTOMY IN THE HORSE. 
555 
the whole practice of subcutaneous surgery, a principle of 
which, indeed, it seems hardly possible to exaggerate the 
importance.” (See c Lectures on Surgical Pathology/ 
vol. i, p. 170.) 
As an illustration of the correctness of the above conclu¬ 
sions of Mr. J. Hunter, I will introduce two cases, one that 
was operated on by myself, in the year 1849; another that 
occurred in the practice of a veterinary surgeon in the year 
1852. My own case is as follows:—On the 9th of June, 
1849, a black cart-horse, the property of Messrs. Huthwaite 
and Co., brewers, Bromley, Essex, was sent to London, for 
our opinion respecting a deformity of the near hind limb, 
arising from disease, which resulted in a thickening and 
shortening of the suspensory ligament (the ligamentous band 
which joins the flexor pedis tendon). To remedy this de¬ 
formity, it was recommended that the flexor tendon should 
be divided, and it was further proposed that I should go to 
Bromley, and there perform the operation. This proposition 
was agreed to by the owner of the horse, therefore on the 
above date, accompanied by my friend Mr. Gowing, V.S., 
I proceeded to the above-named place. The horse was 
brought out, and cast in the usual way ; and, as I wished to 
operate on the inner side of the leg, the animal was turned on 
his left side. A web-halter was placed around the leg, 
above the hock, at which two men steadily pulled. Another 
rope was placed on the foot, for one man to pull at when 
directed to do so. I now had the foot flexed so as to cause 
the tendon to become flaccid, which enabled me to feel the 
space between the perforatus and perforans. I next passed 
a narrow-bladed knife flatwise between these two tendons, 
making the puncture for that purpose on the inside of the 
leg, and taking care not to penetrate the skin on the oppo¬ 
site side. 1 then turned the edge of the knife against the 
perforans tendon, it being the one I wished to divide, at the 
same time directing the man who had charge of the rope on 
the foot, to draw it steadily, and if anything in a direction 
a little forward. In severing the tendon, 1 had scarcely any 
sawing movement to make with the knife, in consequence of 
the other tendon by the traction made upon it, pressing 
upon its back, thus greatly facilitating the division of the 
tendon ; which effect was indicated by a sudden jerk. The 
operation was thus completed, and scarcely a drop of blood 
was lost. The horse was allowed to rise, and led to the 
stable, and in his walk there it was observed that the foot of 
the limb operated upon was placed upon the ground, quite as 
well as the other. The horse having been placed in the 
