462 
AMERICAN VETERINARY COLLEGE. 
had been located in the shoulder, by several veterinarians. But 
when she was trotted out, it seemed clear that the near fore leg 
was the point chiefly implicated in the trouble. Her action was 
groggy, and when at rest the foot pointed. The shoe was con¬ 
siderably worn at the toe; the pasterns were nearly upright, and 
the heels were contracted. The foot was somewhat warm, and 
in fact, all the symptoms of navicular disease were present. The 
operation of neurotomy was recommended, as affording the only 
chance of rendering her useful to her owner. 
With his consent and agreement to accept all possible compli¬ 
cations and accidents, the patient was prepared for the operation, 
and on the second day after her admission, she was thrown down 
and the operation performed, without the least accident, except 
the division of a small vein as the nerve was being amputated at 
its lower end, the division giving rise to a very slight hemorrhage. 
The operation being completed the animal was allowed to rise 
to her feet, and was trotted up and down, her lameness having 
entirely disappeared, and the result of the operation fully con¬ 
firming the diagnosis. The wound was immediately sponged, 
dressed antiseptically, and a cold water bandage kept on the leg. 
On the following day the stitches of the two incisions were 
removed and the leg dressed. 
For nine days, or until the 30th inst., the case seemed to be 
progressing in the most favorable manner. The wounds remained 
dry, the edges continued united, and all the appearances seemed 
to indicate a union by the first intention. So satisfactory seemed 
to be the condition of the patient, in fact, that it was in contem¬ 
plation to request her owner to remove her to his own stable 
But on the 1st of December a swelling appeared in the fetlock? 
not large as to its dimensions, but warm and painful, and her 
gait became stiff and awkward. Warm fomentations and poul¬ 
tices were ordered during the day. On the second day the 
swelling had so increased as to reach to the knee, the temperature 
rising to 102°, and the pulse to 40, though her general functions 
were otherwise in good order. 
December 7th, temperature, 101°; pulse, 70; respiration, 16. 
The swelling was increasing, and had now extended to the elbow. 
