MY EXPERIENCE WITH MEDIAN NEURECTOMY. 
275 
sitiveness. You now also see the large vein in front of the 
nerve, which is recognized by its dark color. At this location 
the vein usually lies in front of the nerve ; the artery is gener¬ 
ally concealed by the vein and nerve, but a careful study of the 
anatomy and experience will show that these relations are not 
always constant, so if you do not see the nerve, have patience 
and look further. 
Having found and isolated the nerve, pass a blunt tenacu¬ 
lum under it and raise it slightly, dividing it on a level with 
the superior part of your incision. Take hold of the distal end 
and resect an inch of the nerve and remove it. Wash the wound 
out antiseptically, and the operation is completed. 
If the operation has been neatly performed, the wound will 
be healed in about two weeks. If the season permits, irrigate 
the limb daily with cold water, and follow out the general prin¬ 
ciples of antisepsis. 
Case No. /.—The subject was an aged mare, weighing about 
1000 lbs., suffering with chronic periostosis of the fetlock. The 
lameness was very marked. I operated on her April i, 1899. 
Immediately after the operation an apparent improvement was 
noticed, which was probably due to shock and being confined 
in the hobbles. On the second day was very stiff and sore in 
walking, which was due to the soreness and swelling in the 
operated region. This animal was given six weeks rest, but the 
results were negative—-no improvement whatever, as the exosto¬ 
sis affected the mobility of the joint. It can be stated that the 
lameness was mechanical, and therefore could not be overcome. 
Case No. II .—Small mare, used for road purposes. Had 
been lame in the foot for a period of three months, during which 
time she rested and received a liberal amount of palliative treat¬ 
ment, and had three blisters applied, without any or very little 
improvement. Cocaine injected over the internal plantar nerve 
on several occasions caused the mare to go temporarily sound. 
My diagnosis was navicular disease in its incipiency. I oper¬ 
ated on her on April 10, 1899. In two weeks the wound was 
healed and in three weeks the mare was driven and went sound, 
