DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY. 
1017 
some descriptive adjective. Such a term as u plantar neurec¬ 
tomy ” leaves the impression that the whole plantar nerve is re¬ 
moved bodily, and therefore defines no feature of the operation 
as ordinarily performed. On the other hand, “ plantar neuro¬ 
tomy ” might mislead by suggesting that the nerve is merely 
divided, yet its suffix is sufficiently elastic in its meaning to 
cover every feature of unnerving operations. “ Neurotomy ” 
therefore should not be supplanted by “neurectomy.” Medical 
and surgical technology may, and in fact does, very frequently 
respect an adopted meaning of a word, but it never tolerates the 
misapplication of words. Furthermore, in defending the word 
“ neurotomy,” it must not be forgotten that it is a perfect eluci¬ 
dation of the prime object of the operation, i. e ., the solution of 
the nerve’s continuity.— ( L. A . M.) 
What is a Curb ? —A curb is usually defined as a sprain of 
the.calcaneo-cuboid ligament. This impression, widely accepted 
as it is, has been proven erroneous by Prof. Hughes, who has 
made a number of post-mortems with the object of revealino- 
its true nature. Curb, according to Hughes, is a synovitis 
and not a ligamentitis. The seat of lesion is always found in 
the synovial apparatus intervening between the perforates ten¬ 
don and the calcaneo-cuboid ligament. In no case of curb has 
he found the ligament involved in the morbid process_ 
(L. A. M.) 
A Nasal Dilator. —The troublesome oedema of the anterior 
nares occurring in purpura hemorrhagica, infected wounds of 
the nostrils, burns, scalds, etc., which may threaten an animal’s 
life from dyspnoea, is rendered less harmful by the application 
of spring dilators made of wire 
(Fig. 60). A wire sufficiently 
strong to form a spring when 
bent in the shape shown in the 
accompanying illustration, is 
adjusted into each nostril so 
as to support the nasal carti¬ 
lages and thus admit the air 
more freely. 
The loop a is attached to 
the halter over the nasal 
bones, and each angle b is in¬ 
troduced into the nostril on 
the opposite side. — {Berlin. 
Thierarzt. Wochenschr.) 
