There are various knives invented for the performance of neurotomy. That the writer most approves of was the invention of Mr. Woodger, the admirably practical veterinary surgeon of Bishops Mews, Paddington. The author has used this instrument himself, and seen it guided by other hands. In every case it has expedited the operation and thereby shortened the period of the animal's suffering.
MR. WOODGER'S NEUROTOMY KNIFE.
To use this instrument.—After the nerve is raised, insert the crooked point, with the edge toward the body of the horse; then drive the knife forward. By this simple means the cutting portion of the blade is brought violently in contact with the nerve, which is excised at the proper point, and about an inch is left hanging out below the incision.
The after-treatment of neurotomy consists in letting well alone, if all goes on rightly. Should pus make its appearance, bathe the wounds, thrice daily, with the solution of chloride of zinc, one grain to the ounce of water. Remove the bandages from the legs after the horse has entered the stable. The incisions heal more readily when exposed to the stimulating effects of the air. Place a cradle round the horse's neck, and feed liberally. Avoid all purgative medicine; you now want an injury repaired, and do not desire to reduce the vital energy.
THE AWKWARD TREAD OF A HORSE WHEN
NEWLY NEUROTOMIZED.
When the wounds have healed, the horse may be gradually taken once more to work, but it should not be fully used. Excessive and too early labor is the cause of the many serious objections taken to a merciful operation. The horse for some period does not feel his foot. He does not flex the pastern as the hoof nears the ground. The foot is placed flat upon the earth, and with a kind of sensible jar, as though the animal had made "a false step." This peculiarity unfits the quadruped to trot upon stones, or hard roads, until it has learned "to handle its feet," or to accommodate the tread to the new condition of the hoof.
OPERATIONS—DIVISION OF THE TENDONS.
Many horses when standing knuckle over to such an extent as threatens to throw them upon their knees. Others can only put the toe of the hind leg to the ground. The natural use of the limb is equally injured in each case: the fore legs of the horse support the body and the burden: the hind legs propel the carcass and the load. Both are deformed by contraction of the perforans tendon; and both deformities are generally produced by excessive labor, inducing strain, though a few cases have come to the author's knowledge of animals being born thus afflicted. When we contemplate the huge frame of the horse, it seems more than fitted for all man's ordinary purposes. But country carriers have vans proportioned only to the extent of their custom; their carts are enlarged as their trade increases; but very seldom is the power which draws the load augmented in the same proportion. The horse, so agile and so beautiful, as long as it can move the cart is esteemed to be not over-weighted. It labors up hill, and then the carrier congratulates himself that the worst of the work is over; it may be for him, but it is not for his horse. All the stress in going down hill lies upon the back sinews; the animal has to put forth all its strength to check the downward impetus of the load. It is the same with other horses in the shafts of other vehicles. Three or four animals—according to the usual English fashion—may be attached to a load; but the weight which three strengths can draw upon level ground, when descending an inequality, then, never bears equally upon the leaders.