NEUROTOMY ON TROTTING HORSES. 
297 
(Fuchs), of wheat affected by brown rust (Gerlach), and of straw covered with 
rust (Haselbach). This is noticed not only on mammals, but on gallinaceae. 
(Diet, de M6d. et de Chirurgie V6t6rinari.) 
The symptoms of abortion from ergotism do not differ from 
those of abortion from other causes. If none of the nervous, 
dyspeptic, or gangrenous phenomena are shown, there is merely 
a temporary uneasiness, the usual preliminary symptoms of parturi¬ 
tion, and the expulsion of the foetus and its envelopes. Oftentimes 
this is found to have occurred during the night, or it takes place 
in the field, and is only suspected when the animal comes in heat. 
{To be continued.') 
A SUGGESTION CONCERNING THE OPERATION OF NEU¬ 
ROTOMY ON TROTTING HORSES. 
By T. S. Very, V.S. 
(A Paper read before the United States Veterinary Medical Association at the 
meeting held in Cincinnati, Sept. 16th, 1884.) 
The operation of neurotomy has had many advocates and 
many opponents. Under some circumstances, particularly where 
relief from painful lameness is otherwise not to be obtained, it 
may be considered a humane and practical method of treatment. 
Other circumstances render it objectionable, even in incurable 
lamenesses. The conscientious practitioner will hesitate and in¬ 
vestigate closely before deciding to operate in any case. Hap¬ 
hazard undertakings of this kind will lead to queer results, and 
to some very unwelcome and entirely unanticipated. 
There are some few operations of a harmless nature, like filing 
the molar teeth, which one might feel justified to undertake at 
the solicitation of an owner. I maintain, on the other hand, that 
it is unprofessional and vicious, as well as “un-American,” to 
cut off the tail of a horse to conform to a foolish fashion, even 
at the request of a wealthy and influential patron. 
The operation of neurotomy certainly ought never be per¬ 
formed except the judgment and conscience of the operator justi¬ 
fies it, and no respectable man would practice it for dealers in 
horses simply to make the animals more merchantable. 
