A further mode of applying dressing, and one frequently practised in connection with the foot, is known as 'plugging.' This is almost sufficiently indicated by its name. It consists in rolling portions of the dressing into little cylinders, wrapped round with thin paper, and introduced into a sinus or other position where considered necessary. D. PLANTAR NEURECTOMY. As a last resort in the treatment of many diseases of the foot the operation of neurectomy is often advised. It will be wise, therefore, to insert a description of the operation here. _Derivation of the Word_.--For many years the operation was known simply as 'nerving' or 'unnerving,' and it was not until 1823, at the suggestion of Dr. George Pearson, that Percival introduced the word _neurotomy_ to signify the operation with which we are now about to deal. The word neurotomy, however, used strictly, means the act or practice of dissection of nerves, and, when applied to the operation as practised to-day, describes only a step in the procedure. As the operation really consists in cutting down upon, and afterwards excising a portion of the nerve, the modern appellation of _neurectomy_--from the Greek _neuron_, a nerve; and _tome_, a cutting, signifying the cutting out of a nerve or the portion of a nerve--is far more suitable. According as the nerve operated on is the plantar or the median, the operation is known as plantar or median neurectomy. _History of the Operation_.--It is to two English veterinarians that we owe the introduction of the operation to the veterinary world. In 1819 Professor Sewell announced himself as the originator of neurotomy. This claim was disputed by Moorcraft, who appears to have successfully shown himself to be the real person entitled to that honour, he having satisfactorily performed the operation on numerous animals for fully eighteen years prior to Professor Sewell's announcement. It appears that Moorcraft left this country for India in 1808, having practised the operation in more or less obscurity for some six or seven years previous to that. After his departure neurectomy, as introduced by him, either died away in repute, or was not made by him sufficiently public to become a matter of general knowledge. To Professor Sewell, therefore, although not the actual originator of the operation, belongs the honour of making it public to the veterinary profession.