258 
\V. L. ZUILL. 
posterior portion of the tendon is seized with the rat-tooth for¬ 
ceps and draw out of the wound and cut as close to its cuneiform' 
as possible. The wound may now be closed with two or three 
silver wire sutures or pins, which should be loosened or even 
removed on the second or third day, especially if there is much 
swelling. Many of these wounds will heal by first intention, and 
all of them in from twelve to fifteen days. 
Complications. —In my experience these have been entirely 
wanting, and when I have seen them they have been due to the 
practice of firing or periosteotomy at the time of operation, or 
to the infection of the wound by dirty hands or instruments. 
The induration and thickening at the point of operation, which 
remains after the wound has healed, should give no concern, as 
it will gradually disappear, and in three or four months be 
entirely absorbed. 
Conclusions. —My experience has taught me these facts: 
First —that the reaction of the cunean tendon for the different 
forms of spavin will give a larger percentage of cures than any 
other treatment. Second —that it must be performed at least 
two months before firing, and should be the first treatment, 
and not the last, as advised by all writers on this subject. 
Third —that the tendon should be resected and as much of it 
removed as possible, simple section not giving satisfactory re¬ 
sults. Fourth —that the operation should not be complicated 
by any additional operation, such as periosteotomy or firing, 
and special care taken to separate the tendon from any sur¬ 
rounding adhesions or connections, as failure not infrequently 
results from these errors of commission or omission. Fifth — 
that there is but a slight possibility that any bad results can 
follow this operation, and if it fails to cure, the chances of suc¬ 
cess with fire are by no means lessened. Sixth —that if fire is 
first applied the chances of success with tenotomy are very 
materially reduced. Seventh —that failures with cunean tenot¬ 
omy I believe to be due principally to complication of the 
tibio tarsal articulation, as post-mortem examination in these 
cases, when the opportunity occurred, indicated this fact. 
