842 
EXTRACTS FROM EXCHANGES. 
hock once or twice daily for two to four weeks. Recommended 
especially where there is prejudice against more heroic meas¬ 
ures.— [L. A. M.) 
EXTRACTS FROM EXCHANGES. 
GERMAN REVIEW. 
By Adolph Eichhorn, D.V.S., New York City. 
Bad Resuets Following Neurectomies [Dages], —D. 
reports and describes several cases of neurectomies, which were 
followed by the bad results of sloughing of the horny capsule, 
etc., either due to traumatism or other unknown causes ; but in 
spite of them he comes to the conclusion that in many cases 
neurectomy is a most valuable remedy in chronic cases to restore 
the usefulness of the animal. Of more interest to us is the 
accompanying discussion as to the cause or causes of the bad 
results following neurectomies. Nocard reports that out of 
the numerous neurectomies which he performed, high, low and 
often on both legs at the same time, the bad results following 
were not as often as those reported by Dages, and he also states 
that they are exceptions and are not to be described as the re¬ 
sult of the operation, but to traumatism to the foot, which, not 
being sensitive, will not produce lameness, and which are as a 
rule discovered when it is too late. Furthermore, N. states that 
aside from this there is another cause to be considered, and this 
is the injury to the blood vessels which accompany the nerve. 
In -this way a phlebitis is produced which may spread as far 
as the vein roots, with disastrous results. In consideration of 
these sequelae, N. recommends the following precautions to be 
taken in operations upon nerves : (i) strict antisepsis ; (2) care¬ 
fully avoiding all injuries and exposure of the accompanying 
blood vessels ; (3) giving perfect rest to the patient for at least a 
month after the operation. Eiautard also states that out of the 
hundreds of neurectomies he had performed he did not observe 
any bad results. In opposition to this, Benjamin cites cases 
which in spite of the most strict precautions bad results 
followed. He especially disputes Nocard’s views in reference 
to the theory of phlebitis, which is due to an infection, as in 
most of his cases, also in those followed by the bad results, he 
succeeded in healing the wound by first intention. Therefore, 
he cannot mark the neurectomies as an unhesitating operation. 
