Cornell University Library SF 907.C69 Pathological horse-shoemg:atheo^^^^^ 3 1924 000 285 373 5r CORNELL UNIVERSITY. THE Bosnien p. ^otocr ftibrarg THE GIFT OF ROSWELL P FLOWER FOR THE USE OF THE N Y. STATE VETERINARY COLLEGE 1897 8394-1 Date Due \xr ^^^5^^ m& ToJ^i m^ (ol~ Library Bureau Cat. No. 1137 The original of tliis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924000285373 "NO FOOT. NO HORSE.' PATHOLOGICAL HORSE -SHOEING: A THEORY AND PRACTICE OF THE SHOEING OF HORSES. EVERY DISEASE AFFECTING THE FOOT OF THE HORSE MAY BE ABSOLUTELY CURED (JR AMELIORATED, AND DEFECTIVE ACTION OF THE LIMBS EFFECTIVELY CORRECTED. THE RATIONALE OF WHICH IS FULLY EXPLAINED AND DESCRIBED. EMBRACING ALSO AN OUTLINE OF THE ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY FOOT OF THE HORSE, AND A COPIOUS GLOSSARY, FORMULARY AND INDEX. JOSEPH BEINE COLEMAN, V. S., Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, and member of the Veterinary Medical Association of London, England. MAY BE HAD OF ALL BOOKSELLERS. CHICAGO: )ffice 146 Ci 1876. Published by the Author, at the Office of Henky Fish & Co., Printers and Publishers, 146 Clark Street. Entered According to Act of Congress, in the Year 1876, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. Tk e righ t 0/ tra nslation is strictly reserved . Kt>. 1^^+ \CG9 INDEX Anatomy and Physiology of the Foot of the Horse — General Remarks i6 Definitions i8 External Structures of the Foot i8 The Wall iS Composition of ig Form of rg Shape of 20 BarSf Braces, or Buttresses of. 20 Laminated Internal Surface of 21 Epidermis or Cuticle of 2z Coronary Concavity 20 Angle of Inflection, Abnormal 21 Horny Sole and its Functions 23 Peculiarities of Structure 24 Horny Frog and its Functions 24 Peculiar Properties of 25 Internal Apex of 25 Remarkable Appendix to 25 Coronary Frog-band 26 Fleming's Description of. 37 Internal Tissues of the Foot — Its Parts Particularized 28 Bone, Chemical Constitution of 28 General Characteristics of. 29 Bones of the Foot 30 Os Pedis 30 "A Mockery, A Delusion, and A Snare." 31 Pedestal of the Column 32 Remarkable Construction of 32 Essential Importance of the Foot 32 Os Coronas 33 Os Naviculare 33 Stellate Ligaments of 34 Cartilaginous Structures of the Foot 35 Lateral Cartilages 35 Inferior Cartilages 35 Articular Cartilage 36 Remarkable Characteristics of 37 EtifTers and Gilding Surfaces. 37 A Knotty Question 38 Ligamentous Textures of the Foot 39 Coronary Ligament 39 Functions of 39 Reasons versus Ipse Dixits 40 Periosteal and Endosteal Membranes.. . . 41 Sensitive Laminse 42 An Undetermined Questipn 43 Interperiosteal Pad 43 Relative Weights Sustained by Fore and Hind Limbs 44 Facilis Decensus Avernus 45 Sensitive Sole 46 An Erroneous Conception Exposed 46 Mr. Fleming, Rise and Explain 47 The Solar Zone 47 Sensitive Frog 47 Functions of 49 Characteristic Structure of 48 Importance of Healthy Condition of. ... . 49 Structure Indicates Function 49 Maximum and Minimum of Lateral Move- ments 50 Summary of Views 50 Tendons and Tendinous Textures — Par- ticularized 51 General Character of 51 Important Anatomical Fact 52 Flexor Tendons 52 Remarkable Mechanical Arrangements of 53 Three-fold Functions of 54 Extensor Tendons 54 Accessories of 55 The True Suspensor 56 Low Instep, Frequent Source of Lameness 54 Antagonizing Forces 56 Secret of Knee Action 57 Tendinous Expansions ■ 57 Lesser Ligaments of the Articulations. . . 57 Synovial Membranes 58 Diseases of, and their Sequelae 58 A Common Error Corrected 58 The Circulatory System of the Foot 60 Arteries 6° General Remarks Upon 60 Characteristics of 61 3V. Microscopic Anatomy of 61 The Plantar Arteriesy Description of. . , . 62 The Plantar Capillaries 64 Physiological Facts 65 Veins 66 Microscopic Anatomy of 66 Anatomical Arrangement Described 68 Veins of the Foot Have No Valves.. .. 67 The Reason Why 68 Lymphatics of the Foot 69 Scavengers or Sanatory Agents 70 Lymphatic Glands 71 Nerves 71 General Remarks Upon Nervous System 71 Nerves of the Foot 72 Distributive Arrangement of 72 Is the Equine Foot an Organ of Special Sensation ? 73 Prima Facie Reasons 74 Analogical Argument 74 An Objection Anticipated 75 Experientia Docet 75 Relative Sensibility of the Equine Foot . 76 Causes of Impaired Action 76 Sub-acute Lamlnltis 77 Acute Laminitis 77 General Causes — Diverse Eflfects ....... 78 Injuries from Nailing on the Shoe 78 Source of Pain in the Foot 79 External Sources of Pain in the Foot. . . . 80 Muscular Spasms, or Cramp 80 Non-Inflammatory Affections 89 The " Ragged Edge " 80 Possible Cause of Stringhalt 81 Secreting Structures of the Foot — Par- ticularized 82 " Ample Room and Verge Enough" 82 Constitution of Secreting Villi 83 Fluid Elements of the Foot Particularized 83 Physical Properties of the Blood 83 Important Physiological Facts 83 Red and White Blood-Cells 84 Chemico-vital Changes in the Blood 84 Judicious Mechanical Expansion 85 The " No-Contraction and Non-Expan- sion Heresies 86 Preliminary Remarks 86 Facts versus Theories 87 Contraction as a Morbid Condition 88 The Reviewer Reviewed 88 Age not the Gage of Experience 89 " Be Just and Fear Not " 89 Essence of Gamgee 89 The Case Stated 90 An Important Omission Supplied 91 " Language the Key to the Sciences "... 91 Authorized Definitions 92 What Does Atrophy Mean ? 92 Value of the Word Atrophy 93 Facts versus Fallacies 93 Varieties of Feet — How Produced 94 Effects of Dry Atmosphere 94 Varieties and Effects of Contraction 95 The Invariable Cause of Quarter-Crack. 95 The Diseases of the Foot of the Horse — Contraction — Symptoms and Treat- ment 97 Positive and Negative Evidence 97 Preparation of the Foot 98 Form 99 The Best Kind of Shoe 100 Nail-holes and Nailing loi Acute Laminitis— Acute Rheumatism — Acute Founder—Proximate Causes of...., 103 Symptoms and Treatment 102 A Puzzling Problem 104 The Cure, " That is the Question " 104 Octogenarian Veterinarians 104 The Kind of Reception 105 Special Points in Shoeing for Laminitis.. 105 Eroad*s Laminitis Shoe 106 A Point of Importance 106 The Rolling Motion Expedient 106 Depletion, When Desirable 107 Constitutional Treatment 107 Chronic Laminitis — Chronic Founder — Pumiced Foot 108 Autherized Errors Combated 108 Support the Sole 108 " Stubborn Facts " versus "High Author- ity" 109 A Demonstrable Fact 109 The Why and the Wherefore 109 Common-Sense Shoeing the Desideratum no How to shoe the Pumiced Foot no Navicular Disease — Causes and Symp- toms Ill Rheumatic Symptoms 112 Treatment ; 113 Ringbone— Etiology and Pathology 1 13 Treatment ng Sidebones— Ossification of the Lateral Cartilages— Etiology and Pathology. 114 Treatment uc Corn — Causes and Symptoms 115 The Old Theory jig The Writer's Theory u^ V. Contraction, or Lateral Pressure, the Cause of Corn ii6 Treatment of Corn ii6 Concomitants of Contraction 117 No Bar-Shoes Necessary for the Cure of Any Corn 117 Suppurating Corn 117 Nothing Like Expansion of the Quarters to Cure Corn 118' Toe-Crack and Quarter-Crack— Etiology and Pathology, i ii8 Contractionists, and Non-Contractionists iig Solid Proofs Wanted, Not Fallacious Ar- guments iig The True Rationale of Quarter-Crack . . 120 Centers of Rotation, or Motion 120 Correlative Movements 121 Rationale of Treatment 121 A Sine Qua Non 142 An Exploded Fallacy 122 Quarter Before, Toe Behind 125 The Cause, Par Excellence 123 What to Do, What Not to Do 123 False Quarter— Shelly Foot— Seedy Toe. 124 False Quarter , . 124 Treatment 125 Shelly Foot i25 Treatment 125 Seedy Toe — Special Characteristics 126 General Treatment 127 Grease — Scratches^ Chapped Heels — Thrush — Etiology and Pathology ... 128 Fatty Follicles and Their Functions 128 Crowding and Dwarfing the Tissues 128 Difficult to Misunderstand 129 The Machinery out of Gear 129 Bad Enough at That 130 Treatment of Grease or Scratches 130 Treatment of Thrush 131 The All-Important Adjunct 131 Treatment of Canker 131 Some Cures Contrary to All Expectation 131 Atrophy of the Foot — Dry Rot 133 Contraction , Both Cause and Conse- quence 133 General Principles of Treatment 133 Accidental Injuries 133 Calking the Instep 134 Characteristics of Quittor 134 A Remarkable Resemblance 134 The Most Powerful A djunct 135 Tetanus or Locked-Jaw— Etiology and Pathology i35 Mysterious Intertransmulations of Disease 136 Facts of Pathology 137 Concurrent, or Predisposing Causes 137 Invaluable Adjunctive Measure 138 Stringhalt~A Mysterious Malady 13Q Notes and Queries 140 Peculiar Mechanism of the Hock-Joint., 140 Does Stringhalt Constitute Unsoundness ? 141 Professor Spooner's Hypothesis 141 Percivai's Opinion 142 Microscopical Research 142 Professor Spooner's F^nal Judgment 142 Physiological Attribute of the Hock- Joint ; 143 Busteed's Belief 143 Professor Spooner's Strictures 143 Dr. Busteed's Claim as a Discoverer 144 Experimental Facts 144 A Curious Coincidence 144 The Writer's Suggestion 145 Summarized Statement of Author's The- ory 147 Summary of Changes 147 Incipient Contraction 147 Advanced Contraction 147 Ossification of Lateral Cartilages 147 Laminitis 147 Drop-Sole, or Pumiced Foot 147 Navicular Disease 14B Ringbone 148 Corns 148 Quark-Crack 148 Toe-Crack 14S False Quarrer 149 Shelly-Foot 149 Seedy-Toe 149 Scratches 149 Thrush of the Frog, 149 Canker of the Sole 149 General Atrophy of the Foot 149 A ccidental Injuries 149 Treads 149 Bruises 149 Injuries from Calking. 149 Quitters 149 Suppurating Corns ; 149 Picking Up Nails 149 Injuries Connected With Shoeing 149 Constitutional Complaints 149 Tetanus, or Locked Jaw 149 Pneumonia 149 Pleurisy 149 Gastritis 149 Enteritis i49 Gastro-Enteritis 149 VI. Skin Affections 149 Sweeny, or Atrophy of Muscles 150 Irregularities of Gait and Action 150 Conclusion 15^ FORMULAE : Poultices and Poultice Boots 152 Fomentations for Different Forms of In- jury 153 Lotions for Various Purposes 154 Liniments and Fmbrocations for Sprains, Bruises, etc 156 Liniments and Salves for Canker, Thrush, etc IS7 Powdere for Scratches, Canker, Thrush, etc 159 Powders for Cleaning Foul Ulcers, etc . . . 16° Blistering Applications for the Removal of Splents, Spavins, Ringbones, Side- bones, Bony Enlaigements, Thick- ened Tendons, etc '. 161 Hoof Dressings— Their Use and Abuse. . 162 Hoof Stimulants 163 Hoof Salves 1^4 Hoof Stoppings for Sole and Frog 164 Constitutional Treatment ^66 Preliminary Remarks ^^^ Glossary .- '7° Special Notification i79 Testimonials '^^ How to make a Book i8r The Play without the Part of Hamlet. . . i8t Acknowledgments 1S2 Unexceptionable Testimony 182 Letter from Addison Doughty 1 82 Letter from R. C. Anthony 184 The Dilator ^86 Thfc Book and the Instrument— Terms. . 187 t APOLOGETIC AND EXPLANATORY. The author of this work is fully conscious of some errors of omission as well as commission to be found within its pages, although he deems them of minor importance, when compared with the really valuable and useful practical information it con- tains, upon a much neglected but highly important branch- of veterinary science and art. It was intended that its pages should have been enriched with first-class engravings illus- trative of the doctrines and the practice taught. These, how- ever, the exigencies of professional duties, and other circum- stances, would not admit of being executed in a manner that would be deemed satisfactory to the public, or the author, within the limits of time at the latter's disposal. He trusts that his desire for the issuance of his work during the most momentous celebration of human progress of modern times; may, to some extent, further excuse this omission, as well as the reduction of the original price — Five Dollars with illustra- tions, to Three Dollars without them. It is the author's intention to fully complete his work in a future edition, and to make it worthy in every respect of the age of enlightened progress in which we live ; of the great epoch now being celebrated ; of the Country, par excellence, which as yet, has exhibited the highest developement combined with the greatest utilization of speed in the noblest of all animals, the Horse ; and of the important protessson to which he has the honor to belong. INTRODUCTORY. HUMANE SOCIETIES AND IMPROVED HORSE-SHOEING. Amongst the various secondary objects which Humane So- cieties, the world over, propose to themselves to attain in order to carry into effect their highest benevolent intentions towards the inferior order of created beings, which are associated with, or subject to, the service of mankind within the different spheres of civilization, there is none I deem of more transcending im- portance to the best interests of society, in subserving the noble aims, greater and lesser, which those societies have in view, and the well being of the quadruped under consideration, than improved methods of shoeing horses, whether for the purpose of preventing disease and lameness, or for removing or amelior- ating those abnormal conditions when present. The full meas- ure or complement of all that is possible in these directions, ought to be accomplished. The writer of the following pages on pathological horse- shoeing, deeply impressed with this view, as well as actuated by a profound conviction of personal duty, earnestly desires to enlist the active sympathies and assistance of the above socie- ties in every civilized community on behalf of what he regards as his mission of mercy to the victim of the most unaccount- able ignorance of his necessities, in the management of one of his most essential organs of usefulness ; yet, withal, an indis- pensable and invaluable adjunct of civilization everywhere. About three years since, the Scottish Society for the Preven- tion of Cruelty to Animals, awarded prizes "for the best and most practical essays on horse-shoeing, in connection with the comfort and soundness of the horse." Upwards of forty essays B 10 were sent in, the chief priz.e being awarded to G. S. Fleming, Esq., of London. Mr. Fleming's essay contemplates only the correct pflnciples upon which a sound foot should be shod. It left untouched the wider and more important question as to how the feet of horses in a diseased and semi-diseased conditions should be shod ; more important because of horses in actual service at the present time, I do not think that one in twenty may be said to have a perfectly sound foot; and still 7nore im- portant, inasmuch as the methods or principles involved in restoring a diseased foot to healthy conditions, will point, in- fallibly, to the manner in which it should be shod to preserve healthy conditions, while no amount of ordinary horse-shoeing for the sound foot will teach methods of shoeing for the un- sound foot. The term, pathological shoeing, refers to shoeing diseased feet ; physiological shoeing, to shoeing the sound foot. Some prefatory remarks to Mr. Fleming's essay, made by the Secretary of the S. S. P. C. A., have a peculiar appropriateness here. .He says : " It is a painful reflection, that the advance of civilization seems ever to be accompanied by certain evils, and in no instance is this more marked than in the terrible amount of suffering unnecessarily endured by the Horse. This ani- mal, pre-eminently the most useful to man, is the one upon which is inflicted, either wantonly, or through sheer ignorance, or thoughtlessness, the greatest amount of cruelty. The re- cords of all humane societies, show that of prosecutions for cruelty to animals, an overwhelming majority refer to the horse, and of these a large proportion are for working horses, while suffering from lameness in one form or another. So frequent are such cases, that observers have concluded that its preva- lence must result from some specific cause ; and not unnatu- rally attention has been directed to the various modes of man- agement practiced relative to the horse's foot, to the manner of shoeing, and in particular to the way in which the hoof is prepared for the shoe." Here, then, is an illustrious prece- dent, if any were needed, in the most progressive city in the world, whose collective characteristic is to lead rather than to follow ; for the Chicago Branch of the Illinois Society for the 11 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, upon which to take action upon a question of extreme moment, directly to the well-being of the horse, whose natural rights it is the morally and legally recognized guardian and advocate ; and, incidentally, to the main objects to attain which, the society has been called into existence, and to society at large. I respectfully suggest, that a committee of this Society be appointed to inquire into the value of • the modes of treatment enunciated in this work. This can readily be determined by testimony and experiment. I am prepared to show by the testimony of gentlemen, owners of horses, and of well known horsemen of this city whose horses I have treated, and some of whom, moreover, I have in- structed in my processes and plans of treatment, that the majority of all the diseases incidental to horses' feet are curable by the means I recommend, and many of them by no other means; that they have the merit of being simple and easily ac- quired, and their application easy, by any man of intelligence ; that there need be no pain consequent upon their application, but that, in many cases, they occasion an immediate relief of pain and lameness. By experiment, I propose to prove beyond a peradventure, that in all the varieties of foot affections, with but very few exceptions, the immediate effect is beneficial, and- the ultimate result in a vast majority of lamenesses from diseases of the foot, an absolute cure, if simple rules concerning man- agement and shoeing are observed during the progress of re- covery. If this can be shown to the satisfaction of a com- mittee of this Society, can a doubt exist as to the course the latter ought to pursue in regard to an endorsement of the treat- ment recommended and taught in this work 1 PREFATORY. The publication of this work has arisen out of the expression of a want on the part of my pupils for a remembrancer, or guide, in the application of the principles and practice of the treatment I have adopted and recommend for the adoption of others, as the most rational, and' the most successful of any that I am acquainted with, or even heard of. The first intention was to limit its issue to my pupils who had been fully instructed in the theory and practice of the views it embodies. A fuller consideration, however, of the benefits that would accrue to society, aye, to the world at large, iix the diminished sufferings, a fuller utilization, and in the enhanced pleasure and profit arising from the employment of one of the most useful of the domestic animals, namely, the horse, has determined the writer to give a wider dissemination to his views and methods of treatment for the diseases incidental to the foot of that animal ; to devote his entire energies to the work of personal instruction which he has begun, and by rescuing those operations from the domain of empiricism and selfish secrecy, to give them their legitimate place in the category of useful medical appliances. It is a fact but too patent to the observation of every think- ing person having any interest of humane sentiment, pleasure, or pecuniary profit in the well-being of the horse, that the foot- diseases of this animal are out of all reasonable proportion, in excess of those affecting him in other respects, and tbat the foot of the horse and its diseases, notwithstanding the numer- ous ponderous volumes that have appeared from time to time since the establishment of the Royal Veterinary College of Lon- don, England, over three-quarters of a century since, is still the least understood, and the best, or worst abused organ of the whole animal economy. 13 Every humanitarian who embraces within his merciful re- gard every creature whose existence is not inimical to .his own, whose common feelings of sympathy for the speechless victims of modern civilization, constitute a platform of union and effort, for the one common purpose of preventing, or mitigating those sufferings, as far as they have the authority and power con- ferred by the law to do, will assuredly be interested in any painless, or even comparatively painless process of treatment by which the sufferings of horses which arise from the morbid condition of their feet, may be materially abridged; that in some instances acts almost magically in the relief of pain, and in all cases exerts its ameliorating influence gradually, but surely, and perceptibly, day by day. The scientific veterinarian owes a positive duty to society and to the profession of which he is a member, besides hav- ing a personal and pecuniary interest therein, to investigate any, and every mode of operation that promises to enable him to cope more successfully than he has hitherto done with the morbid conditions of the pedal extremities of the animal of whose physical welfare he is the recognized protector and phy- sician, which seem to have baffled and defied the acutest veter- inary pathologists of every age and country to account for and to overcome. Has he not an all important interest, the value of which can scarcely be estimated, in a theory, and such a prac- tical verification of it, that throws a clear and unexpected light upon causes of morbid conditions heretofore obscure, and a theory and practical measure moreover, the truth and value of which he can so readily demonstrate for himself in a variety of cases, and be master of its application in a few hours ? Hitherto, I confess, I have been extremely reticent upon the subject of my modes of treating diseases of the feet of horses. Now that I have assumed the role of teacher, and have de- voted my time and energies to the vocation of teaching, I am willing to impart the special information I possess freely and unreservedly to every veterinary practitioner of whose ability I am satisfied to do justice to the operation I recommend. u It is not less the duty and the interest of the horse-shoer, who aspires to superiority in his important and useful calling, to acquire a correct, if not a profound knowledge of the nature and functions of the structures he is called upon to operate, in order — 1. That he might the more intelligently co-operate with the owner of the horse, or the veterinary surgeon having a case in his charge. 2. That he may justly be entitled to the confidence of his employer who may be unable, or unwilling, if able, to give any special directions in the matter. 3. That he may be able to distinguish between normal and abnormal developments, or healthy and unhealthy conditions, to become familiar with, so as to be able to detect readily the first advances of a departure from healthy conditions, or the natural conformation of the organ it is his particular pro- vince to conserve and protect ; and moreover that he may have, and be able to apply that special knowledge which will enable him to counteract and check such advances. The shoeing-smith who possesses these qualifications has in his hands a powerful lever of personal advancement in his call- ing, and the wMp hand of his fellow craftsman not so well in- formed, upon the road to distinction and wealth. A clear understanding of the subject can be gained by any intelligent smith in the course of a few hours private, or other instruction, by the aid of specimens, diagrams, etc. His oppor- tunities for demonstration are of course the best, as he can be instructed and initiated into the modus operandi in his own workshop. Every smith, if possessed of candor, after witness- ing the results of the operation for Contracted Feet, Corn, Quarter-crack, and in Foun'der and Navicular Disease are so pleased and surprised that they exclaim in the spirit, if not in the precise language of the philosophic Hamlet : " There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in our philosophy.'' I claim no special merit on the score of originality as to the facts and the main feature of the practice on which my methods 15 of treatment are based. There is nothing new in the practice of dilating the foot for a contracted condition of that organ, though I incline to the opinion that something new will be found in its application, and in the theory which embraces and explains the etiology and the rationale of cure of every specific disease of the foot, and throws new light on some of the mys- terious constitutional maladies of the horse. The process, limited to the correction of contraction^ was recommended by La Fosse, a celebrated French equine path- ologist, over a century since, and his successors at the Veter- inary College of Toulouse, have issued a brochure on the sub- ject within the last decade ; still, however, limiting its utility to contraction. Horse-shoers everywhere, but especially in the country districts, occasionally pry open the horns of the shoe with a common smith's tongs. I have experimented and investigated, and have found that there is literally no disease, and scarcely a condition of the equine foot to which it is not applicable, whether it is for the prevention or cure of disease, or for the correction of faulty action, and per consequence, the development of speed. This universal applicability has revealed the true character and causes of some diseases about which controversies have raged and spent themselves in vain for the last three quarters of a century, as far as a solution of the questions in disjJute was concerned, and of others which have hitherto been very diffi- cult of cure, but of which the difficulties are now completely overcome. In short, the long sought for theory, which most writers on veterinary pathology have thought would in time be found, that would explain and harmonize many conflicting opinions and recorded observations upon these matters, and show the true sequence of the causes and effects which pro- duce the various disorders of the foot of the horse, in the wri- ter's opinion, has been found, and is now submitted to the judgment of the veterinary profession and the world — for the first time. ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE FOOT. GENERAL REMARKS. To attain anything like a full and clear conception of the economy of the foot of the horse, its various component parts, whether internal or external ; their structural organization, and the uses for which they are designed; the laws that govern healthy function; the phenomena of disease, and the rationale, of cure, should be studied very attentively. "There is no royal road " to the perfect mastery of this subject ; but it is one whoever travels with diligence, whether for pleasure or profit, will soon be led to a strong vantage ground of usefulness to society, that will enable him to accomplish an incalculable amount of benefit for the horse, and therefore for his owner, and incidently to advance in manner and degree, but little sus- pected, the best interests of humanity and civilization. Anything more than a brief outline of the anatomy of the integrant parts of the foot, whether internal or external, would lead me far beyond the limits assigned me by the scope of this work or the patience of my readers. Indeed, I would much prefer the discussion of hypotheses, the investigation of causes, and the practical application of remedies, to the dry details of anatomy. They are, however, not barren of results, since they afford the only foundation upon which the science of therapeutics can be built. If, therefore, we would build for per- manence, we must lay the foundation broad and deep in the facts and teachings of anatomy and physiology. 17 The importance of a knowledge of the peculiarities of form and structure of the various organs and tissues of which the foot is composed, will be best appreciated when disease has in- vaded them, and every available means are being employed to combat the invader. On such occasions I am accustomed to say that the case requires, and should have, every chance there is in its favor, however apparently trifling, to expedite recovery. An apparently trifling chance will frequently turn the scale for, or against, the animal's recovery, and the reputation of the practitioner. The amateur student may not be aware that considerable diversity of opinion exists not only in the great body of the veterinary profession, but even amongst its leading teachers and writers; not only upon the functions of the different organs that compose the foot, but of those of the pedal organ itself. Even the anatomical structure of the foot, usually deemed a science of fact and of demonstration, so prolific is the foot of the horse in contrariety of views, does not command absolute unanimity of opinion. As to the specific diseases of the equine' foot, there are still wider divergencies of sentiment and opinion concerning their causes and treatment amongst the literary luminaries of the profession. These, however, will be reviewed in the section devoted to the consideration of the diseases of the foot. It will be seen, by and by, what an important connection there is between a correct knowledge of healthy functions of jthe several parts of the foot, and the right application of prin- ciples for the prevention and removal of its morbid conditions. A study of the physiological laws can alone afford a satis- factory basis for the consideration of the phenomenal changes which inevitably succeed a violation of these laws. The better the laws of health, and the causes and symptoms of disease are mastered, the reasons for, or against, any line of practice that may be recommended, can be the more judiciously reviewed, and adopted or rejected, with just confidence. 18 DEFINITIONS. The foot of the horse admits of two definitions : the common, and the anatomical. ' The common implies the horny extremity of the limb, and the tissues contained within it; the anatomical applies to all the structures beyond the low.er joint of the knee. It is in its common acceptation that I shall use the term foot. I do not for the present propose to enlarge my scope of inquiry beyond the limits implied in this term, except by way of explanation or illustration of doctrine concerning the func- tions of the pedal organ. Indeed, I fear that I shall be found, even within these limits, to tax the endurance of jny readers very considerably, whether professional or not, as I find it im- possible to do justice to the numerous topics of discussion that arise out of a consideration of the foot of the horse in its varied aspects of structure and function by any very summary style of treatment. THE EXTERNAL STRUCTURES OF THE FOOT. The external structures of the foot, regarded as a whole, is called the hoof. The hoof may be conveniently divided into the wall, sole, bars, frog, and frog-band. i Figure i.—View a/ the Hoof when sefaraied from its internal attachments. J j'^-^'L."- 7^^^?^X'' ^-.The Coronary Concavity; c. The Horny Plates or Lamina- ^?or. Ihe Internal Commissures; e. The Horny Frog; /. The Internal Prominence of' the Frog corresponding to the External Cleft; gg. Inner Surface of the Sole- h. The I'rog-band, 19 THE WALL is that portion of the hoof which is visible when the horse is standing. The different portions of the wall, viewed exter- rially, are respectively denominated the toe, the inner or outer toe, the quarters and the heels ; terms sufiSciently self-explan- atory. COMPOSITION OF THE WALL. The great body of the wall is composed of a dense fibrous mass, the fibres being bound together by a glutinous material called the horny matrix. The internal surface consists wholly of the horny matrix, and is laminated. FORM OF THE WALL. The wall presents some peculiarities of form, which it is not unimportant to be familiar with. These are noticed by Turner in the following paragraph : " On inspecting the unshod foot of a four-year-old colt (which is fully developed at that period of life), it has been the fashion for veterinary writers to consider its ground surface as a circle. To this I have much objection, having always been struck by the great inequality of its two sides, not only as to the addi- tional thickness of the wall of the outer quarter in comparison to the inner, but the still greater difference in compass or cir- cularity ; the outer quarter furnishing far more than is neces- sary to form the half-circle, while the inside is generally much less than a semi-circle. This bulge, or fine luxuriant growth of the outside quarter is generally most apparent toward the heel, not only forming a much broader basis of support for the superstructure than the inside, but also one of immense strength. The inside column of wall being less strong, and yet placed more immediately under the centre of gravity, it appears to me quite obvious that Nature intended the outer quarter should serve as the main prop of support, whilst the inside quarter, in proportion to the weight and speed of the animal, should expand and oppose concussion." 20 THE SHAPE OF THE WALL-DIFFICULT TO DESCRIBE. As to the question whether the general form of the foot be- cylindrical or cone-shaped, I agree with Spooner, that in some horses no doubt the feet are cylindrical ; but as in the great majority of hoofs, and particularly those which we consider the best, the circle at the upper part is less than one at an equal distance lower down, we shall be more frequently correct if we describe it as the " frustum of a cone, the base and summit of which have been intersected by two oblique planes." The fact, however, is, that no mathematical figure can correctly describe the exact shape of the foot, for viewing it in front we may pronounce it conical, whilst at the same time its lateral aspect may be that of a cylinder. THE CORONARY CONCAVITY. On the inside of the upper margin of the wall is to be seen a concavity, about three quarters of an inch in depth, and extend- ing throughout the entire upper circumference of the wall. This is named the Coronary Concavity, and by some the Coronary Ring. This concavity is for the repose of the organ which secretes the fibrous, and therefore the principal portion of the wall, and is called the Coronary Secretary Substance. On the surface of the Coronary Concavity may be seen, by the naked eye, a vast number of minute perforations, which receive the secreting to'/// of the Coronary substance. Quoting Haycock : "These are the commencement of the horn tubes which are continued from the top to the bottom of the hoof; the hoof, in part, is a series of minute cylinders or hollow tubes. These tubes exist in im- mense numbers, are placed side by side, and traverse the entire length, or rather depth of the horny mass. The animal, strange as the statement may appear, stands and travels upon thou- sands of cylinders, all arranged with extreme regularity, and held together by a common glutinous medium, in which is de- posited the peculiar pigment giving color to the hoof." THE BARS, BRACES, OR BUTTRESSES OF THE WALL. Another portion of the foot has received the names of Bars. Spooner describes them as a continuation of the wall, being 21 similar to it in their structure and appearance. The point where the inflection or doubling inwards of the wall takes place is usually called the angle of inflection. The Bars extend for- wards and inwards towards the apex or point of the frog, ter- minating just before reaching it. The Bars are about the same thickness as the wall is at the quarters, and their greatest depth is about an inch, gradually lessening toward their ter- mination. The bars act as braces or buttresses in forming and supporting the heels of the wall upon which the shoe rests. The wall and bars constitute the boundary of the sole with which they have a strong and intimate union. NO ANGLE OF INFLECTION IN A NORMALLY SHAPED FOOT, In a normally healthy foot, the inflection, where the bars spring from the wall, is of a rounded rather than an angular form. Whenever the inflection exhibits a strongly marked angular form, I regard it as a departure from the standard or normal shape, induced by a contracted or shrunken quarter. It is the angular form that produces the condition termed Corn. I, therefore, cannot consider the term, angle of inflection, so fre- quently used by writers upon the foot, as correct, if applied to a normally shaped foot. Fig. 2. Fig. 3. Figure 2. — A Foot with open heels and rounded inflections. Figure 3. — A Foot with contracted heels and angular inflections. THE LAMINATED INTERNAL SURFACE OF THE WALL. The entire inner surface of the wall from the lower edge of the coronary concavity to the line of junction of the wall with the sole is covered by a large number of closely set, long, thin, 22 narrow leaves, or plates. Their ,form, and the nature of this substance has given them the name of horny laminae. In the detached hoof, it will be seen that one longitudinal edge is free, while the other is united to the wall. It is, indeed, a por- tion of the wall itself, frilled as it were into the form we view it. By means of these plates, averaging about 500 in number, the wall is attached to the internal portion of the foot, namely, to the pedal bone, and it extends to the lateral and inferior car- tilages. Besides forming an attaching medium of great strength and tenacity and large extent, they subserve other important purposes which will be referred to a little further on when re- viewing these functions more particularly. THE EPIDERMIS, OR CUTICLE OF THE WALL. A not unimportant constituent of the wall is its extreme ex- ternal coating. Physiologists tell us that the normal hoof is covered by a layer of a silicious material resembling that upon the outer surface of straw, and that it fulfils a similar function to the wall of the foot as that of the epidermis or cuticle, to the dermis or true skin. The healthy foot is able to secrete and maintain a degree of moisture compatible with the exis- tence of toughness and resiliency in its outer structures, and any excess or deficiency of moisture is equally pernicious to a healthy foot. The former is promoted by the injudicious use of the knife and rasp, conjoined with soaking, stopping, poulticing, etc., while the latter is the result of the same unreasoning process of rasping and paring, with the soaking and stopping omitted. Whenever the epidermic covering is removed by the rasp, as is too frequently the case, undue, evaporation takes place, and the hoof becomes the very opposite of what it should be, un4er the combined influences of inordinate exhalation of moisture, and the heat of the sun, or an unusually dry atmosphere. The subject is suggestive of much more that might be said, but must be reserved for future consideration. 23 THE HORNY SOLE AND ITS FUNCTIONS. The horny sole, the organized foundation, the chief weight- sustainer of the animal frame, constitutes the whole of the plantar surface, not occupied by the edge of tlie wall, includ- ing its inflections, the bars, and the external frog. Its line of junction with its boundary wall may be traced by a white line or zone, which Mr. Fleming, I believe, has been the first to | notice in print. A detached sole presents the remarkable peculiarity of a deep indentation in the general form of an isosceles triangle^ its base being placed posteriorly, and its apex extending fully two-thirds of the distance from its base to the anterior margin of the sole. Figure 4. — External View of the Horny Sole. Microscopic anatomists describe the horny sole as fibrous in its inner substance, the fibres taking an oblique direction for- wards and downwards, corresponding to that of the fibres of the wall, and gradually changing into squamous incrustations, somewhat similar to the epidermis of the skin as it approaches its external limits. The horny sole is secreted by the vascular and sensitive sole,, and in the same manner as the wall is secreted by the coronary band, by tufts or villi that penetrate the horny fibres. The wall wastes by attrition when the animal is unshod; the sole- and the frog, by exfoliation. 24 Of other peculiarities of construction of the sole, I prefer to give them in the words of an able disquisitionist upon the equine foot, Professor Gamgee, Senr. THE HORNY SOLE-PECULIARITIES OF STRUCTURE. " The sole is thickest at, and is strongly connected anteriorly, and in its two posterior terminations, where it is so strongly inverted by the inflections of the waU, as to be incapable of direct dislocation by any means, whilst the parts remain in their integrity, viz., not cut away or weakened. The inflected wall, which according to prevailing notions is called ' the bars,' constitutes for all essential purposes an inner wall, a con- tinuation of the outer wall ; these minor inflections have no such abrupt terminations, as their outer appearance at first sight indicates, or as seems to be the case by the laminated attaching inner surface; the same inflected wall forms the inner boundary of the two lateral divisions of the sole poste- riorly, and it is by these that the strength of the sole is con- tributed, and its arched form perfected." THE HORNY FROG AND ITS FUNCTIONS. The Horny Frog is triangular in shape, and occupies the triangular cleft in the sole. Quoting from Fleming : " In the middle of the posterior part is a cleft, which in the healthy state should not be deep, but rather shallow and sound on its surface. In structure, this body is also fibrous, the fibres pass- ing in the same direction as those of the other portions of the hoof; but instead of being quite rectilinear like them, they are wavy or flexuous in their course, .and present some micros- copical peculiarities, which, though interesting to the compar- ative anatomist, need not be alluded to here. The fibres are finer than those of the sole and wall, and are composed of cells arranged in the same manner as elsewhere in the hoof; they are formed by the villi which thickly stud the face of the mem- brane covering the sensitive frog." 25 PECULIAR PROPERTIES OF THE FROG. The substance of the horny frog is eminently elastic, and corresponds in the closest manner to the dense elastic epider- mic pads on the soles of the feet of such animals as the camel, elephant, lion, bear, dog, cat, etc. ; and which are evidently designed for contact with the ground, the support and protec- tion of the tendons that flex the foot, to facilitate the springing movements of these creatures, and for the prevention of jar and injury to the limbs. In the horse's foot, the pressure of this thi(fk, compressible and supple mass of horn at the back of the hoof, in a healthy unmutilated condition, and permitted to reach the ground while the animal (is standing or moving, are absolutely essential to the well-being of that organ, more especially should speed, in addition to weight-carrying be exacted. The frog like the sole exfoliates, or becomes reduced in thickness at a certain stage of its growth ; the flakes are more cohesive than those of the sole. THE INTERNAL APEX OF THE HORNV FROG. It must be remarked, however, that this exfoliation of the sole and frog only takes place when the more recently formed horn beneath has acquired sufficient hardness and density to sustain contact with the ground, and exposure to the effects of heat, dryness and moisture. The cleft of the frog penetrates some distance into the foot and terminates in a horny prominence which I am accustomed to regard as the internal apex. This prominence, by its pointed character and upward direction when one or both heels are contracted or shrunken and the frog is of small dimensions, plays a very important part in the production of lameness. This, however, I will not dwell upon here. A REMARKABLE APPENDAGE TO THE FROG. The frog-band or stay was first dissected out and described by Bracy Clark. Mr. Fleming designates it by the more technical 26 term " Periople." I at one time shared the opinion of my pre- ceptor in anatomy, that the frog-band was . more a matter of fancy than of fact, and that many ingenious carvings could be made out of a horse's hoof. I have, however, a very well marked specimen in which the band shows its true character without any carving whatever, by the simple process of drying and partial separation. A thin leather strap made to encircle the hoof around its superior border, each end embedding itself into the substance of the frog, it seems to me, may convey an idea of its structure and uses. To my view it is precisely anal- ogous in its purposes to those of the strap that embraces the human instep and gives support to a clog, that is sometime worn, particularly by ladies. A few moments reflection upon the slender character of the attachments of the frog at its pos- terior portions will show the necessity for the existence of some such an arrangement as this. The following is Mr. Fleming's description of this structure : " The Coronary Frog-Band, or ''Periople^ is a continuation of the more superficial layer of the skin around the coronet and heels, in the form of a thin, light colored band, that descends to a variable depth on the outer surface of the wall, and at the back part of the hoof becomes consolidated with the frog, with which it is identical in structure and texture. It can be readily perceived in the hoof that has not been mutilated by the far- rier's rasp, extending from the coronet, where the hair ceases, to some distance down the hoof; it is thickest at the commence- ment of the wall, and gradually thins away into the finest im- aginable film as it approaches the lower circumference of this part. When wet it swells and softens, and on being dried shrinks, sometimes cracks in its more dependent parts, or be- comes scaly. The fibres composing it are very fine and wavy, as in the frog; they likewise spring from w7// which project from the true skin immediately above the "coronary cushion." The use of this band would appear to be two-fold ; it connects the skin with the hoof, and thus makes the union of these two dis- similar textures more complete, its intermediate degree of den- •27 sity and its great elasticity admirably fitting it for this office; and it acts as a covering or protection to the wall at its upper part, where this is only in process of formation, and has not sufficient resistance to withstand the effects of exposure to the weather. The greatest thickness and density of the band cor- responds to the portion of the wall in which the villi ox vascular tufts are lodged, and here the horn is soft, delicate, and readily acted upon in an injurious manner, by external influences." Elsewhere he writes of its uses, and abuses : " The thin, semi-translucent horn that extends in a somewhat wide, whitish-colored band, around the upper band of the foot, is chiefly intended by Nature, I think, to protect the fibres of the wall from the effects of external physical influences, such as heat and dryness, while they are being secreted, or so immature as to be incapable of resisting these influences ; for it will be remembered that the wall is formed at the coronet, and this covering guarantees, not only the integrity of the newly-made horn-tubes, but also maintains the secreting vessels that enter them, in a healthy condition, and competent to supply fresh material for wear. The destruction of this band, and the rasp- ing of the fibres beneath it, is detrimental to the healthy secre- tion of the wall fibres, and leads to the same result that paring the sole was shown to do : shrinking of the horn tubes con- taining the tufts of vessels, wasting of these, a diminished supply of horny material in consequence, and a thin brittle wall that scarcely appears to grow down at all, in depth or thickness, and barely allows a shoe to be attached to it. Sand- crack and other diseased conditions of this part of the hoof are mainly due to this cause." To all of which I yield an unqual- ified assent, excepting the last clause. Ascribing as I do the chief proximate cause of quarter-crack to contraction of the lower part of the quarter, and outward pressure upon the upper, I am willing only to accept brittleness of hoof, etc., as. predisposing or secondary causes. 28 THE INTERNAL TISSUES OF THE FOOT. ITS PARTS PARTICULARIZED. Having described the component parts of the hoof, or exter nal portion of the foot, we will proceed to the consideration of the internal structures or tissues of that organ. The first division of these is into solids and fluids. Of the solid constituents there are bones, cartilages, ligaments, blood- vessels, nerves, absorbents, and secreting glands. The Fluid elements comprise the blood, synovia, marrow, lymph, and the various glandular secretions. The Bones consist of the pedal, navicular, and the coronal. The Cartilages include the articular, the lateral and inferior. The Ligamentous Structures comprehend the tendons of muscles that are inserted into the bones named, the lateral and other hgaments of the foot-joint, as well as the synovial, cap- sular, periosteal, and perichondrial membranes, and the fibro- elastic structures of the wall sole and frog. The Blood-vessels embrace the arteries, capillaries and veins. The "Nerves — sentient and motory. The Absorbents — superficial and deep-seated. The Secreting Textures — of the wall, the sole, the frog, the frog-band, the solar zone, the sebaceous follicles, and the per-, spiratory exhalents. The fluid elements are sufficiently categorized. DESCRIPTION OF THE BONES OF THE FOOT. CHEMICAL CONSTITUTION OF BONE. Before entering upon the descriptive anatomy of the bones, a brief allusion to the composition and characteristics of bone substance may not be unprofitable, as assisting to throw light on some of the diseases of bone, of which we have several conspicuous examples in the organ under consideration. 29 The two principal constituents of bone are cartilage and phosphate of lime ; the proportions of the former being about 29 to 34 per cent., and that of the latter, from 50 to 60 per cent, of the entire bone. The bone-earth may be dissolved out by dilute hydrochloric acid (one part of strong acid to five parts of water). The cartilage remains unaffected and retains . the form of the bone. This is really a curiosity which may easily be obtained in the manner indicated. The following analysis of the bone of a healthy horse is to be found in Bowman's Medical Chemistry. In every 100 parts there is Phosphate of Lime 54-37 Carbonate of Lime 12.00 Phosphate of Magnesia i . 83 Soluble Salts o. 70 Cartilage 27 . 99 Fat 3. II In certain morbid conditions of bone remarkable changes take place in their chemical composition, in which the earthy matters are so deficient that they no longer possess the rigidity and strength necessary for sustaining the weight of the body. A deficiency of the cartilaginous material would render the bone brittle, and liable to fracture upon the slightest occasion. The former condition is called mollities ossium, the latter fragi- litas ossium. I have met with examples of both conditions in all three bones of the feet that I have named. In healthy bone phosphate of lime predominates ; in exostoses, carbonate of lime is the predominating ingredient. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF BONES. Bone, when recent, is covered by a very vascular membrane called the periosteum. The periosteum is a bed for the ramifi- cation of blood-vessels, nerves, absorbents, and is prolonged into the Haversian canals, and connects itself with a similar membrane within the bone named the endosteum, " Bones 30 are endowed with vitality, are nourished, grow, waste, and are repaired, and undergo various mutations according to the age of the animal, and they are subject to diseases analagous to the soft parts." — Dadd. PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION OF THE BONES OF THE FOOT. Enumerating the bones of the foot in the order of size, the number either wholly or partially within the foot are three, namely : 1. The Os Pedis. 2. The Os Corona. 3. The Os Naviculare. These three bones enter into the formation of the foot-joint. I. The Os Pedis, Foot or Coffin-Bone. The OS pedis or coffin-bone belongs to the class of irregular bones ; it possessing such a remarkable complexity of form. Viewing it in front, its superior outline presents an eminence somewhat like a pyramid in shape, and is therefore called the pyramidal process. This process receives the insertion of the tendon of the Extensor Pedis muscle by which the foot is ifjc- /^«(/if^ during action. Immediately beneath the articular sur- face that corresponds to that of the navicular bone, the tendon of the flexor pedis perforans is inserted. The office of this muscle, as its name implies, is to flex the foot. The whole of the anterior surface is very rough, which makes the attachment of its periosteal membrane the more firmly ad- herent. Large grooves for the protection of the larger blood- vessels, the nerves and the absorbents, as well as holes for their passage into the interior of the bone may be seen upon its lateral surfaces. Its posterior aspect exhibits two surfaces for articulating with the coronal and navicular bones. The prolongations of the bone backward on either side are called the alae or wings of this bone. The inferior, or plantar surface, is comparatively smooth and concave, and its general outline corresponds with that of the 31 horny sole, having a deep indentation which affords space for the repose of the principal cushion, or the thickest portion of the plantar cushion of the foot. In view of the functions this bone is destined to fulfill in the animal economy, it may be instructive to note some of its more salient properties. " A MOCKERY, A DELUSION, AND A SNARE." I. The extreme lightness of this bone in comparison to its bulk is remarkable. This is rendered necessary by its great distance from the moving power. It is said that every addi- tional ounce added to the foot is nearly if not more than equal to a pound at the shoulder. If, therefore, we would economize the vital forces, no more weight should be placed at the end of the foot than is absolutely necessary to insure protection to the integrity of the horny tissues in horses intended for speed. Concussion, the ready apology for heavy shoes, can be better obviated by a ' stout sole ' of horn than by a heavy rim of iron. If concussion were the only danger to be guarded against, this could be accomplished better without the intervention of the shoe than with it. I grant that the horse with a thin sole and weak foot generally, and low action, will go better at relatively slow paces, with a comparatively heavy shoe. It does obviate concussion to some extent, and to that extent and under those conditions it is desirable; but reverse those conditions, place heavy shoes upon a sound foot, with unimpaired action, and a well-developed horny sole and frog, and they become " a mock- ery, a delusion, and a snare " to both the 'horse and his owner. These objections to heavy shoes do not apply to the trainers practice of using toe-weights for the purpose of regulating or correcting defective action in trotting horses. In such cases, as well as in diseased conditions, any and every measure that will accomplish the desired purpose, are, of course, proper. They are useful as temporary expedients but should not be regarded as permanent natural or necessary conditions. 32 THE PEDESTAL OF THE COLUMN. 2. It is the last bone of the series, which compose the sup- porting structures of the limb ; the pedestal of the column that carries the superstructure. It therefore spreads out in accord- ance with the principle of mechanics which requires a sup- porting base of wider proportions than the shaft it sustains, in order to give stability to the vertical position. A REMARKABLY CONSTRUCTED BONE. 3. This bone is constructed upon the plan of a double arch. It is a well known physical law that the arched form aifords the greater degree of strength with the least weight. The arched form of the sole resembles the concaved surface of a dished wheel with its concave surface facing the ground. The archiform parieties of the bone are the best calculated to resist forces acting against it in various directions from which dangers may come, and combines the lightness neces- sary for speed with the strength essential to endurance, and protection to the exceedingly delicate structures and processes within it. ESSENTIAL IMPORTANCE OF THE FOOT. The safety of the horse in his natural state, depending more upon his capabilities for flight than upon the resources of strat- agem, this bone appears to have been designed primarily for that object. " No foot, no horse," seems to have been the motto of its Designer. Double walls enguard the brain from external accidents. Arched ribs enclose and shield the heart and lungs from many outward casualties. Scarcely less inferior in im- portance to the safety of the animal, is the organ of flight /«;• excellence, and that is endowed with a doubly vaulted bone, that receives within the protecting segis of its recesses a won- derful assemblage of arteries, capillaries, veins, nerves, and absorbents from whence they emerge in various directions to play the part assigned them in the general economy. 33 THE OS CORONA. This bone belongs to the class of long bones. It possesses the peculiarities of having no medullary canal, and of being more broad than long. In a horse of medium size it is about an inch and a half in length, and two inches in width. Its . general form is cuboid. It articulates superiorly with the os suflFraginis or large pastern bone ; inferiorly with the os pedis and navicular bone. Its anterior surface is rounded, its pos- terior, flattened. It lies partly within and partly without the hoof. The tendon of the Flexor Pedis Perforatus is inserted into its upper posterior border, and a little below its insertion is a transverse flattened eminence covered by fibro-cartilage which forms a gliding surface for the tendon of the Perforans. In blocky, upright feet, this bone is peculiarly subject to the horn -affection known as Ring-bone. It is so short and firmly braced to its position that it rarely becomes dislocated, but is not quite so rarely the subject of fracture. OS NAVICULARE. SYNONYMS — NavicularlBone — Shuttle Bone. This bone in its natural position, lies transversely between the wings of the coffin-bone. It averages about two inches in length ; half an inch in breadth ; and three eighths of an inch at its thickest part. It has three surfaces of articulation, the smallest with the coffin bone, the largest with the perforans tendon and the medial sized one with the small pastern. It is held in position by remarkably strong ligaments, and are respectively named the interosseus ligament uniting it inferiorly with the coffin bone; two anterior, and two postero-lateral, that unite it with the small pastern. Besides these, from either end of the bone proceed three ligaments. As they radiate from the end of the bone as from a central point, they are called the Stellate ligaments. The insertions of these ligaments embrace about half a circle, the middle ligament going straight from the end of the bone 34 to the highest part of the lateral cartilage, the anterior and posterior stellates going respectively to the most anterior and the most posterior edge of the same cartilages. STELLATE LIGAMENTS AND THEIR USES. Let us philosophize a moment upon the function of these stellate ligaments. A familiar illustration of their use, I think, may be found in the Stay-straps we see under the bodies of coaches and other vehicles, provided with springs, and intended to be driven at rapid rates, and over rough roads. Their use is, perhaps, too obvious to need description. A sailor would call them guy-ropes. To my view, these stellate ligaments have a similar function. They materially assist in keeping the fulcrum, that is, the navicular bone, of the main cord that flexes the foot in exact apposition to the gliding surface of that cord ; otherwise, rapid motion would be retarded. ■ From whichever direction the disturbing force might proceed, there is a species. ol guy-rope arrangement to resist it. This is not their only func- tion. Under extraordinary exertion the frog-structures may condense too forcibly and rebound too strongly to be altogether free from danger. They then possess a regulative function. More, under or- dinary circumstances, when there is no excessive action to control, they form powerful auxiliaries to the spring-like move- ments of the elastic structures. The frog-cushion is the great spring-bed of the foot. The lateral cartilages, one on each side, constitute a pair of springs, that are called into play through the medium of the stellate ligaments. These latter are strong and unyielding, while the lateral cartilages possess the properties of flexibility and rebounding in the highest de- gree. I think it impossible to conceive, in any organized structure, of means more perfectly adapted to ends than iii the structural arrangements of the stellate ligaments. 36 CARTILAGINOUS STRUCTURES OF THE FOOT. These structures include, 1. The Lateral Cartilages. 2. The Inferior Cartilages. 3. The Articular Cartilages. THE LATERAL CARTILAGES. The Lateral Cartilages are the two cartilaginous bodies already referred to as receiving the attachments of the stellate ligaments of the navicular bone. They are situated upon the superior margin of the wings of the coffin bone, and their position as regards the hoof is about equally within as without that structure. Their superior portions can easily be felt and manipulated by the fingers in the living subject, and the ex- tent to which they may have lost their flexibility pretty nearly ascertained. Externally they are convex, internally concave. Membranous expansions connect them with the extensor ten- don and the coronal bone anteriorly. Posteriorly they be- come thinner, and are extended downwards and inwards, imparting roundness and flexibility to the heels, and afford ■considerable protection to those parts against casualties by their characteristic properties of firmness and resiliency. The portion of these cartilages that lies in apposition to the iamellated structure of the wall has corresponding laminae for connection therewith. From the inferior extremities of these ■cartilages, supplementary ones extend, which have been named INFERIOR CARTILAGES and False Cartilages. Mr. Spooner thus describes them : " They are triangular bodies, and somewhat different in struc- ture from the lateral cartilages. They proceed from the lateral cartilages (just as the latter reach the heels of the coffin-bone) in an obliquely forward direction, on the internal and inferior parts of the wings of that bone, and thus afford a smooth sur- face, which is covered partly by the sensible laminae, and partly by the sensible sole. The inferior are much more fibrous in their structure than the lateral cartilages, and the latter become 36 less cartilaginous toward their upper and posterior part." If the structure of a tissue. is any indication of its function, as I believe it will be found to be, then the function of the inferior cartilages is not precisely that of the lateral cartilages, for we find the former much more fibrous in character than the latter; and it is remarkable that the lateral cartilages themselves pos- sess a fibrous border where the stellate ligaments are inserted, and posteriorly where it is connected with the inferior cartil- ages it assumes a more fibrous character generally. The infer- ence is irresistable, drawn from the structure of these cartilages alone, that the lateral cartilages fulfill the office of a pair of side springs, having the property of yielding and rebounding with every motion of the foot, and aiding and regulating in some measure the vertical movements of the elastic tissues of the frog, through the medium of the stellate ligaments superiorly, while inferiorly it is kept in position, aided, and undue move- ments controlled by the strong and comparatively unyielding character of the inferior cartilages. The lateral cartilages are subject to ossification, that is to say, of becoming converted partially or wholly into bone. En- largements are not unfrequently met with, of one or both car- tilages. These are not necessarily ossifications, but they are evidences of a derangement of structure and function, the causes of which will be discussed further on. The lateral and inferior cartilages a,re covered by a dense tough membrane called the perichondrium, which performs a similar office for cartilaginous to that of the periosteum for osseous structures. ARTICULAR CARTILAGE. This is sometimes referred to as cartilage of encrustation, because this particular kind is only to be found encrusting or adhering to the articular surfaces of bones. As some theorists on the pathology of navicularthritis deem this disease to have its origin, as a rule, in the disorganization of this structure it may not be uninstructive to learn somewhat of its nature and uses. 3Y BUFFERS AND GLIDING SURFACES. Bones are the solid frame-work of the whole body and pos- sess but little elasticity. These supporting and moving structures being also in sec- tions and destined to move freely upon the ends of each other, would have been peculiarly liable to concussion, and their moving surfaces susceptible to attrition but for the interven- tion of a substance of such a nature that would fully meet both J requirements. Such a substance we have in articular cartilage. It combines those properties in the most eminent degree, that break the violence of concussion, and by its extremely smooth and glass-like surface, with the aid of the synovial fluid as a lubricator enables the moving surfaces to glide on each other with the greatest facility. Its anti-concussive functions may be likened to those of the buffers upon the different sections of a railway train ; while its free-gliding purposes may be fitly illustrated by those of the smooth portions of the axle trees upon which the train moves. ARTICULAR CARTILAGE ; REMARKABLE CHARACTERISTICS. It is remarkable too, that no nerves or blood-vessels are found in articular cartilage, while they are found in all other kinds of cartilage. Why is this ? Because it would be incom- patible with the exercise of its functions if it possessed either sensibility or vascularity. In the former case, every jar or quick movement would be necessarily attended by pain ; and in the latter the vessels would be liable to rupture and extra- vasation of their contents, when the weight of the animal was thrown upon these structures. As nutrition and decay are necessary and constant processes, the nutrient blood-vessels that supply these cartilages approach them as closely as possible at their base from the interior of the bone to which they belong, not terminating in the cartilage, bu^abutting against their base by large numbers of small loops, the cartilage having the property of imbibing their nutrient particles from mere contact with the circular terminations of 38 these vascular loops, by the process called cell-imbibition. The cells at first are round, but gradually acquire a flattened form, until, at the wearing surface they become very dense and! horn-like in texture. Like as in the hoof and epidermic struct- tures, the outlying particles are being continually pressed upon toward the external surface, and pass off in the processes of wear or natural decay. In such a case absorbents are unne- cessary and therefore none are present. The due secretion of the synovial fluid is necessary to keep the gliding surfaces of these cartilages moist, a condition necessary to the perfect fulfillment of their office in the general organization. In chronic disease of the navicular joint, it has been ocasion- a,lly found that these cartilages have become abraded from attrition, and in some instances the cartilaginous covering of the navicular bone has been found adhering to the perforans tendon, of which that bone is the fulcrum in its action upon the coffin-bone. A KNOTTY QUESTION. Scarcely any question in the whole range of veterinary path- ological inquiry has excited so much animated discussion and such contrariety of opinion as tha,t of the proximate cause or causes of the navicular-joint disease. Few, even amongst 'the ablest veterinary pathologists recognize more than one general proximate cause for this foot affection ; and there is not a tissue entering into the composition of the joint, which has not its advocates for its claims to consideration as the chief tissue in- volved in this complaint. Some view it as proceeding exclu- sively from internal and other from external causes. The bones, the cartilages, the synovia or its secreting membrane,, the perforans tendon, hereditary predisposition, mal-nutrition, atrophy, concussion, etc., all have their separate claims put forward by one writer after another for the bad pre-eminence of being the chief proximate cause of this equine curse. But I must not digress too far from the main course of my subjebt or anticipate my own theory too soon. To be able satisfac- torily to dispose of conflicting hypotheses, it is important that 39 we should thoroughly understand the nature and uses of every tissue that compose the foot. The articular cartilages are sub- ject to abrasion from a lack of synovia ; to ossification from perverted nutrition ; to ulceration from its propinquity to the ulcerative process in the bone when present, and to adhesion to the perforans tendon, when the latter is the subject of in- flammation which is followed by a lymphy exudation. THE LIGAMENTOUS TEXTURES OF THE FOOT. These textures comprise : 1. The coronary ligament. 2. The periosteum and endosteum of bones. 3. The tendons and tendinous expansions of muscles. 4. The perichondrial membranes. 5. The synovial membranes. 6. The ligaments that brace joints. 7. The areolar or connective tissues. THE CORONARY LIGAMENT. Sui generis amongst ligamentous textures is the coronary lig- ament. It is variously designated as the coronary ligament, band, or substance. I presume there has been some difficulty, from the peculiarity of its structure, in defining its true place in the category of' foot-textures. As it is most frequently re- ferred to as the coronary ligament, I have placed it under the head of ligamentous textures, with the above remark as to its anomalous classification. FUNCTIONS OF THE CORONARY LIGAMENT. The locale of this ligament is the coronary concavity, just inside of the superior margin of the wall. It is the principal medium of connection between the skin and the hoof. It appears to be transitional in its character, partaking somewhat of the characters of both. Its surface towards the wall is papil- lated, and each papilla penetrates a horn tube, or fibre, of which the fibrous portion of the wall is made up. It is affirmed by one writer, Mr. Fleming, that the entire wall is secreted by 40 ^^^^Ais ligament. This, of course, would include the horny 1am- j_tjt, inse. I dissent from this opin;on for the following reasons : The wall is composed of two kinds of material, the fibrous, and a non-fibrous matrix, which bind the fibres firmly into the solid mass of horn which constitutes the wall of the foot. I am not aware of any secreting structure that secretes more than one specific secretion in a healthy acting condition. But if there should be, it would not be a sufficient reason for attributing the functions of secreting two such widely different substances as compose the walls, to the coronary secreting lig- ament. Each fibre of the wall is fed by its connecting papilla.' Besides, we are not left in doubt as to where the matrix comes from. I think that is just as demonstrable as the source of the horny fibres. The vascular laminae have not a merely me- chanical connection with the non-vascular horny laminae — ^but a secreting function, and it is from this source that the homo- geneous or non-fibrous portion of the wall is derived. If an experimental proof of this is demanded, examples are numerous ■enough in cases of False-Quarter, and those cases where the hoof has been torn off by violence and the coronary ligament partially or wholly destroyed. In False-Quarter, for instance, the coronary ligament is injured or destroyed, and we have but a thin non-fibrous horny secretion composing the quarters, frequently too weak to sustain the weight of the animal, which could come from no other source than the vascular laminae. REASONS VERSUS IPSE DIXITS. In cases where the entire hoof has been torn off while the vascular laminae remain otherwise . uninjured, a non-fibrous horny material will be deposited all over the sensitive lamina in a few weeks. Does this come from the coronary ligament.'' It can not, as ten or twelve months will scarcely suffice for the growth of horn from the top to the bottom of the foot. I think these experimental facts too well known to need any further exemplification. Mr. Fleming, in his recent work on Practical Horse-shoeing, asserts that the latter view is an error, ^' as the microscope, physiology, and pathological experience, 41 abundantly testify." This is all the refutation he has con- descended to give to this alleged error. Supposing it to be an error ; it can hardly be expected, that those who a:re a6cus- tomed to do their own thinking, to weigh the opinions of others for themselves, and to rely on their own pathological experience, when they have any, will readily abandon their opinions with- out a single reason being advanced or a particle of evidence adduced to show that they are erroneous, beyond the mere ipse dixit of any writer, however eminent he may be as an authority in some respects. I repea!t, the principal function of the coronary ligament is to secrete the fibrous portion of the wall. It is extremely vascular and highly elastic. The for- mer quality is necessary to supply the demands of rapid wear and tear to which the wall is subject especially in the unshod foot, and to maintain the integrity of the structure it secretes ; the latter to adapt it to the expansive and contractile move- ments of the foot when in action, or when weight is super- imposed upon, or removed from the limb. Although in appear- ance a thickening of the terminal portion of the skin, it has a peculiar and distinct. organization to adapt it to its very im- portant purposes. The inner layer is a strong white elastic structure which forms its principal thickness. Upon this reposes a very numerous accumulation of blood-vessels, and external to these a thin coat from which proceed the secreting villi of the wall. The attachments of these villi in the living structure must be of a very powerful nature, as there is no other visible connection between the hoof and the skin except the areolar or connective tissue, which bind it but in no very especial manner to all the subjacent structures. The growth of the wall is in every respect similar to the growth of the human nail. THE PERIOSTEAL AND ENDOSTEAL MEMBRANES. These structures are the dense white-fibrous and non-elastic membranes, the former of which constitutes the external cover- ing, and the latter the internal lining of bones. They are D 42 connected by prolongations of their substance through small conduits in the bone called the Haversian canals. Their func- tion is to give support to the bone within and without, and to furnish a bed whereon the nerves, blood-vessels, and absorbeijts can ramify. Bones are most amply supplied with nutrient materials by these means, and their disintegrated particles probably carried away by the absorbents. I say, probably, be- cause some physiologists consider it doubtful, at least, whether absorbent vessels exist in bone. The coronal and navicular bones present iiothing exceptional as regards their periosteal coverings, but there is a very remarkable peculiarity concern- ing the periosteum of the coffin-bone which I think throws much light upon the constitution and functions of the sensitive laminae, a just appreciation of which has a most important bearing upon the question of shoeing, either in health or disease. Microscopic " anatomy, physiology, and pathological experience," perfectly harmonize in the views I have taken upon this master question of the foot, and the practical meas- ures I have based upon them. THE SENSITIVE LAMINA. Mr. Spooner says : " The sensitive laminae are somewhat similar in appearance, but very different in structure to the horny laminae, with which they are connected by a dove-tailed union, each horny plate being received between two sensible plates, and vice versa. They are firmly attached by means of elastic (?) membranous structure to the irregular surface of the os pedis ; and are also continued on the lower position of the side car- tilages, where they correspond to the horny laminae, on the inside of the bars of the foot. The sensitive laminae, as their name imports, are extremely sensitive and vascular, and as Mr. Percival says, are composed of a double transparent membrane, plaited as it were around the bone, so that one of the sides of each laminae is in close contact with another, and the other side opposed to a horny lamina. The sensible laminae used to be considered as highly elastic, and writer after writer having 43 copied from each other, without examining for themselves, the error was perpetuated until Mr. Percival demonstrated that the elasticity was not inherent in the laminae but in the sub- i stance connecting them with the coffin-bone which possesses] highly elastic properties, and affords a convenient bed for the numerous blood-vessels which secrete the laminae." AN UNDETERMINED QUESTION. In this connection the late Prof. Spooner, in the course of his lectures, stated substantially as follows : " The precise nature of the union between the vascular and horny laminae is not yet established. I believe it will be found upon more extended microscopic investigation to be similar to, if not iden- tical with that of the chorion of the foetus, and the tunica decidua uteri of the uterus. The same kind of union also exists between the dermis and epidermis. Whatever'doubts may exist as to the histological character of this union, what is certainly known is that the union is a vascular and vital, not a mechanical one, and that it is one of extreme delicacy, and ill-calculated to bear the tremendous burden the weight of the animal would impose upon it." THE INTERPERIOSTEAL PAD. It will not be difficult to perceive where this apparent power of elongation comes from, when the peculiar structure of the periosteum of the coffin-bone is fully comprehended. As shown, by Percival it is a double membrane, the union of which is attached to the irregular surface of the coffin bone, and the outer presents a plaited or frilled surface. Between this innet and outer membrane, a layer of elastic material is interposed, , which, like most other structures of the foot, answers a two- fold purpose. It furnishes a nidus or bed for the safe reposfe of the vessels and nerves that ramify upon the laminae, and particularly those which are engaged in the work of secreting the horny laminae. The frilled or laminated arrangement affords abundance of space for these vessels and nerves as they 44 proceed to the various points of contact and union with the horny laminEe, and will yet admit of a certain amount of separ- ation of the outer from the inner portion of the membrane, allowing certain movements of the foot to be effected without any undue strain of the filamentous and vascular connections of the laminae. This elastic material I shall have frequent occasion to allude to again as the interperiosteal tissue, or pad. RELATIVE WEIGHTS SUSTAINED BY FORE AND HIND LIMBS. In further elucidation of the functions of the laminae, quoting Spooner : " Let us consider the vast weight supported by each leg, and the manner in which it is distributed. The weight of a moderate sized horse is about twelve hundred weight; this, when the animal is standing is supported by the fore and hind legs in the proportion of two-thirds by the former and one- third by the latter. When the horse is in motion, say trotting, this weight is supported alternately by one hind, and one fore leg, so that each fore leg supports two-thirds of the animal's gravity ; to this we must add the weight of the rider, and the increased burden occasioned by the momentum of the horse's action. We shall, therefore, be within bounds when we say that each fore leg alternately bears a weight equal to the ani- j mal's entire gravity, all which is borne by the small pastern bone, and is thus distributed to the parts below. A moderate portion is first communicated to the elastic cushion, from whence it is impressed on the lateral and inferior cartilages and posterior part pf the frog. The remainder, being the principal portion, is transferred to the navicular and coffin- bones, the former of which, by the interposition of the fleixor tendon, bears partly on the frog and partly on the sole; and the latter by the intervention of the laminae, distributes itji weight to the wall throughout its whole circumference, and a very slight portion of it is borne by the sole, wAuA may or may not bear upon, the ground. Thus at the same moment 45 these various actions go on in the foot. The coffin bone de-. scends lower into the hoof, the laminae, by their elastic connec- tions, permitting it ; the sensible sole is compressed, and perhaps the horny laminae opposite the coffin bone slightly descends. Well, the horny sole and the anterior part of the frog opposite the navicular bone descend and expand the quarters parallel to them, whilst at the same time, the elastic or sensible frog, being compressed, is forced down upon the horny frog, and contri- butes to the expansion of the heels ; but if the horny frog meets the ground, the cushion, being pressed upon both above and be- low, enlarges laterally, and expands the upper part of the foot and lateral cartilages." This quotation is introduced for the purpose of showing the loose views entertained by one of the most influential authori- ties upon the " Foot of the Horse," regarding the most impor- tant function possibly pertaining to that organ, namely, the sus- taining or supporting ordination of the sole. He says the sole "may or may not" have a bearing upon the ground. I affirm that it must have a bearing either upon the ground or its equiv- alent, the shoe, in order to exercise and maintain its functions in a state of efficiency. FACILIS DECENSUS AVERNUS. Descent of the horny sole being regarded as a function, this error renders the acquisition of erroneous views necessary to support it, an easy matter; just as a recognition of its falsity, and the necessity of a supporting function to the sole will have an important influence in producing correct views of other func- tions. It does not, however, always do this, as I shall show by an illustrious example, namely, Professor Gamgee, senior, who, though strenuously advocating a sustaining function to the sole, denies the contractility and expansibility of the foot func- tionally or otherwise ! Per contra, Mr. Spooner recognizes this latter function, but is loose-jointed upon the sustaining func- tions of the sole. lA,o\i passing strange, that men of such mark, and of such " large discourse " upon that ever-fertile topic, the 46 foot of the horse, should differ so diametrically upon matters that appear to be of the most simple and demonstrable char- acter, as I think will be seen when we discuss the other functions of the foot. THE SENSITIVE SOLE. Besides the laminal tissues, the periosteum of the coffin bone furnishes a double membrane from its plantar surface to fulfill similar functions for the horny and sensitive soles. Here, also, proceeding from within outwards, we have the basal membrane adherent to the bone, and a secreting membrane sending its papillae into the internal surface of the horny sole, besides a layer of elastic interperiosteal tissue coming between the two layers of membrane last described — that is to say, it furnishes a bed whereon the nerves, blood-vessels, and absorbents may repose with safety, and yet suffer the necessary elongation and shortening incidental to the movements of the foot without injury ; and, being of the elastic variety of fibrous tissues, forms the appropriate elastic medium, when its functions are unim- peded, by which the natural springing and rebounding func- tions claimed for the plantar cushion, for such it is, are effected. AN ERRONEOUS CONCEPTION EXPOSED. If the above description of the sensitive sole be correct, as I deem it demonstrable that it is, by actual experiment, then the common notion that the horny sole should be cut until it springs or yields under the pressure of the thumb must be founded upon an erroneous conception of the function of the sole, no matter by whomsoever the doctrine may be taught, since this practice neutralizes, to the extent to which it may be followed, the action of the really elastic tissue within the foot, and calls upon tissues that are not elastic to fulfill functions for which they were neither designed nor adapted ; and, more- over, endangers the vascular and filamentous connections of the sensitive and the horny laminae, as well as those of the sensitive and the horny sole, by causing a greater tension upon those connections than they are able^ or were intended to bear. m MR. FLEMING, RISE AND EXPLAIN. THE "SOLAR ZONE." There is a white line that marks the line of junction of the sole and wall. It is undoubtedly the cementing medium of the two portions of the hoof. In some prior observations on the lami- nae made by Mr. Fleming, it will be remembered that he stated that the " microscope, physiology, and pathological experience abundantly testify that the horny leaves are not formed at alt by the sensitive ones, and that the coronary ligament secreted he entire wall." How, then, does it happen that the source of this " softer and more elastic white zone " is ascribed to "the secreting villi of the lower end of the sensitive laminae.' " If the sensitive laminae have secreting functions at one part, why not at another ? And if not, why not .' If they have not, what need is there of any vascular attachment between the two de- scriptions of laminae, when a merely mechanical one would do as well .' If a portion of the horny wall is not secreted from its sensitive counterpart, perhaps the horny sole and frog are not secreted by their sensitive counterparts ; for the inference in one case is just as reasonable as in all three ; and if they are not, from whence are they derived ? Presuming upon the pos- sibility that Mr. Fleming may alight, in the course of his pro- miscuous reading, upon these questions, I shall be expecting an answer to them in some future edition of his work on " Prac- tical Horse-Shoeing " or in some other way. THE SENSITIVE FROG. This structure presents a double membranous arrangement, similar in this respect to the secreting organs of the sole and wall. Extensions of a dense white fibrous membrane, almost, if not quite, identical with the periosteal tissues before described, completely invest this substance. Its secreting papillae pene- trate the horny frog, just as those of the sensitive sole are im- bedded into the pores of the corneous sole ; but they are said 48 to be of a finer and more delicate structure than those of the sensitive sole. They also take the same oblique direction downwards and forwards as those of the sensitive sole. View- ing the internal aspect of the hoof, a long, deep, triangular fissure will be seen, with a small eminence springing from its medial line, near the basal end of the triangle. In and over this fissure, and adjacent thereto, the sensitive frog reposes. This sensitive frog may also be regarded as an interperiosteal pad or cushion, only, compared to the others, it is of greatly magnified dimensions. It fills up the whole of the posterior space of the foot not occupied by other substantial tissues. This, the principal spring-cushion of the foot, as to size, is com- posed of two kinds of ligamentous tissue — the white fibrous and the yellow elastic. The, mass of the frog-cushion is com- posed of the same material as constitutes the sub-cutaneous tissues, usually designated connective or areolar tissues. To- wards the posterior portion of the foot, these tissues are trans- formed into a vast fibro-cartilaginous cushion, otherwise known as the sensitive frog. Its eminently elastic properties are due to its yellow elastic constituent, which predominates most in the upper portion of the pad that lies in close contiguity to the perforans tendon and the inferior portion of the coronal bone. CHARACTERISTIC STRUCTURE OF THE FROG. Another remarkable feature of the constitution of the frog- cushion, which only the microscope could reveal, is the manner in which these fibrous materials of the sensitive frog are dis- posed. There is no apparent order in their disposition, but they are interwoven with each other in every conceivable direc- tion, thus forming a dense areolated mass of tissue. These areolae are exceedingly minute, and it is within these that the yellow elastic fibres called " nuclear " are discovered to exist. It is this variety of fibre that gives elastic properties to an oth- erwise inelastic substance. The chief characteristic, therefore, of the frog-cushion is firmness, combined with lightness and elasticity, it being endowed with the latter property in every conceivable direction. 49 STRUCTURE INDICATES TUNCTION. These minute particulars as to the structure of the frog- cushion — and they could have been made more minute still — I deem of importance, as they point unmistakably to its func- tions. " Men do not gather grapes from thorns, nor figs from thistles ; " but they sometimes commit the equally egregious blunder of attributing functions to organs and textures which are altogether foreign to their destined purposes, through im- perfect acquaintance with their intimate composition and organ- ization. These considerations, together with the desire I en- tertain that the sub-structure of my theory and practice in regard to diseases of the feet shall be laid sufficiently .broad and deep in the facts of anatomy and physiology must be my apol- ogy, if any were needed, for dwelling so long upon the compo- sition and organization of tissues. FUNCTIONS OF THE FROG. The highly important functions of the frog have yet to be considered. The horny frog is evidently designed to receive pressure externally, as without this there would be no basis afforded for the resilient movements of the internal spring- cushion — that is to say, the sensitive frog. ■ The most familiar illustration of this view is the following: Take the spring- cushion of a carriage, or the spring-mattress of a bed. It will be seen that the spiral spring is fastened'by one end to a solid base or frame-work. The full action of the spring is thus ob- tained ; but if the solid base is removed, and a yielding base substituted, the action of the spring is neutralized in proportion to the yielding character of the base ; in other words, much of its resilient a:ction is lost, and the body, sitting or recumbent upon either, would sink to a lower level and find less springi- ness on the seat or the bed. IMPORTANCE OF A HEALTHY FROG. Thus, the sensitive frog is the spring-cushion, and the horny frog its base of action, when these tissues and functions are un- interfered with. 50 The horny frog interposes a firm resisting medium between the sensitive frog and the ground. The sensitive frog com- presses more readily under the double effect of superior and inferior pressure. It thus lets the weight of the animal dowft easy upon the other portions of the foot, and the instant the weight is remwed in the lifting movement, regains its original dimensions. It is to this expansive or rebounding movement that I attribute the regular, light, easy, corky, springing move- ments in action that is peculiar to the horse. MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM OF LATERAL MOVEMENTS, The sensitive frog and the fissure in which it reposes are also evidently constructed so as to admit of some degree of lateral movement. The peculiar construction, too, of the sensitive frog adapts it, I think, to receive or to resist pressure in every direction, its areolse admitting of the maximum amount of rapid condensation with the minimum of the lateral increase of bulk. SUMMARY OF VIEWS. Summarizing the foregoing views — the superimposed weight of the animal superiorly, the solid bases afforded by the homy frog inferiorly, the quarters of the horny wall laterally — these are the solid resistants that call the compressive and the expan- sive forces of the frog-cushion into play. More elasticity than that which is inherent in these resisting structures, or any in- terference with the due fulfillment of the functions of any one or more of them, such as contracted quarters and a diseased horny frog, would injure the structure and suspend the func- tions of the primary organ of resiliency, the sensitive frog^ and proportionately will be the impairment of the leg or knee action of the animal subject to such an abnormal condition of things. The question of the Expansibility of the Foot is too important to be dismissed with a cursory allusion. It will arise for con- sideration in due course, and will then receive the attention it merits. TENDONS AND TENDINOUS TEXTURES. Several varieties of these textures are to be found entering into that complex organism, the foot of the horse. 1. The tendons directly connecting the bones with the muscles that act upon them. 2. The tendinous expansions that envelope joints. 3. The tendinous structures that connect bones that are in close apposition to each other in joint formations. 4. The external lateral ligaments of joints. 5. The stellate ligaments of the navicular bone. GENERAL CHARACTER OF TENDINOUS TEXTURES. All the above structures have the same general composition, differing only in the arrangement of their fibres. The dense, tough, white, tendinous expansions that embrace the joints, and the inelastic silvery ligaments and tendons that form ex- tensions of muscles, are alike* of the white fibrous variety of tissues, and are composed of white filaments, similar in every respect to the fibrous areolar tissues. They only differ in the arrangement of their fibres. They are all,' however, arranged in a parallel manner, and, being inelastic, give a firm union to those structures with which they are continuous at their ends. Yet, though they are described as inelastic, they are not abso- lutely so, as is shown by the fact that a small number of yellow elastic fibres is interspersed among the bundles of white fibres. This undoubtedly imparts some security against the chances of 52 a rupture, by admitting of a slight degree of elongation under extremely trying circumstances. Histologists give the name of ^nuclear' to these yellow elastic fibres. The tendons and faschiae, or tendinous bands, are bundles of filaments of white fibres. The aponeurotic expansions are also filamentous bun- dles of the same material, strips of which interlace each other, and a quantity of reticular connective tissue giving them a bond of union. It is the toughness and inextensibility of white fibrous tissue that render it so serviceable in attaching muscle to bone, and in connecting bones where they articulate with each other. This tissue is but slightly vascular, and contains fewer blood-vessels in the adult than in the young animal. AN IMPORTANT ANATOMICAL FACT. It is not unimportant to remember that in certain exigencies the division of tendons, faschiae, and ligaments is unattended with pain, so that these structures are devoid of sensibility. There is no tissue more easily reproduced ; and the only con- dition for effectual reunion is, that the divided ends be brought as close together as possible, in order to prevent any increase in the length of the bond of union. Perfect rest of parts is the best means to insure the healing of a cut or torn ligament or tendon. No other means can be adopted to increase the strength of the white fibrous tissue. This is mentioned, be- cause veterinary surgeons still resort to blistering and firing, in the belief that they insure animals from not lacerating liga- ments or tendons a second time. ' THE FLEXOR TENDONS OF THE FOOT. The most important tendons of the foot are those which have their insertion in the coflin or pedal bone ; the tendon of the Flexor Pedis Perforans, and that of the Extensor Pedis, and that which is inserted into the coronal bone, the tendon of the Flexor Pedis Perforatus. The latter and the former will be alluded to, for the sake of brevity, as the Flexors, and the other as the Extensor. If we take the Extensor Suffraginis into account, 53 ■we shall then have two Flexors and two Extensors. The largest and most powerful of these tendons is that of the Perforans muscle ; the next, that of the perforatus. The two last main- tain a very intimate companionship from their origin to their insertion. They are the two largest of the fore limb. The late Professor Dick's favorite theory concerning the navicular dis- ease was, that "injury to this tendon in the synovial capsule of the navicular joint was most generally the primary and proxi- mate cause." The perforans tendon passes under the navicu- lar bone, and is inserted into the posterior pit of the pedal bone. The navicular bone affords a fulcrum, by which means the flexion of the foot is accomplished more easily than could be done without any such fulcrum. REMARKABLE ;tfECHANICAL ARRANGEMENTS. The merely mechanical arrangement governing the action of the flexor tendons or sinews is of a very remarkable character ; but I do not propose to enter into its consideration beyond its immediate influence upon the motions of the foot. Both of these tendons have the same origin, and, though their connec- tion from their origin to their insertion is so intimate, they pre- serve their individuality throughout their whole course to the foot. Both of them have their accessories above and below the the knee. The perforans is aided by the Ulnaris Accessorius and the Radialis Accessorius above the knee, and a tendon called the tendo-subcarpal below the knee. The perforatus de- rives assistance from a ligament above the knee, called the Superior Suspensory. At the back of the knee the perforans clasps the perforatus in such a manner as to form a sheath, through which the latter may glide ; and at the back of the fet- lock joint the latter performs a similar office for the former. Reaching the coronal bone, the perforatus divides itself into two points of insertion, one going to the inner and the other to the outer posterior edge of that bone. The perforans here be- comes flat and thin, and adapts itself in width to the length of the navicular bone, against which it presents a hard gliding 64 surface. Its rounded terminal insertion measures about four inches, and it spreads out somewhat like a fan, and finds an attachment to the roughened inferior semicircular border of the coffin bone. Such are some of the more salient features of these important tendons, a consideration of which, in all its bearings, would form a subject of considerable interest and prolonged study. .^THREE-FOLD FUNCTIONS OF THE FLEXORS. Their united function is obviously of a three-fold chai;3.cter. They lift and flex the foot in upward action. In the downward motion their great strength is utilized to diminish the force of the descending weight of the animal, with the acquired mo- mentum in addition, which must be very considerably increased during rapid action. The perforatus and perforans are liable to sprains, to laceration, to rupture, to ulceration, and the latter to adhesion to the navicular bone. THE EXTENSOR TENDONS OF THE FOOT. The extensor tendons are very light and slender in compari- son with the flexors. They blend intimately with the faschise that enwraps the upper and lower pastern joints. The thickest portion of the extensor pedis is inserted into the coronal em- inence of the OS pedis. The less thick portion is interwoven with the faschise that finds an attachment along the entire superior margin of that bone. The combined general function of the extensors is the extension of the foot and leg. LOW INSTEP A FREQUENT SOURCE OF LAMENESS. A by no means unfrequent source of lameness I have ob- served to be, pressure upon this tendon, arising from a low instep, which I have found to disappear after lowering and shortening the toe, or raising the heels, or both, as circum- stances may render necessary. It comes from lowering the heels unduly, or from allowing the shoes to remain on the feet too long, the toe thereby becoming elevated from inor- 56 dinate growth. Injuries to these tendons are less frequent than to the flexors. A very disastrous lesion of the tendon of the extensor pedis is one upon the part just where it is inserted into the coffin bone, from a severe tread or calk. It is more serious here than a similar injury elsewhere, for the reason, I presume, that the principal point of connection is either weak- ened, or entirely severed in a case of a severe character. ACCESSORIES OF THE EXTENSORS. The Extensors are not without their- adjuncts or accessories.^ The Extensor Suffraginis is assisted by the Ligamentum Ex- tensorium that springs from the outer part of the capsular ligament of the knee, and the outer metacarpal bone, taking a winding course downwards and forwards towards the fetlock, where it blends, with its principal. The Extensor Pedis has a much more complex accessory to aid it, withal, a very important one to understand the arrangement- of. It has its superior attachment to the head of the large metacarpal bone on its posterior aspecti, mmediately below its articulating border. It lies between the small metacarpals in close apposition to the large metacarpal, and for two-thirds the length of that bone it is a very powerful undivided ligament. At the commence- ment of the lower third it divides into two parts, each part attaching itself, one to the inner, and the other to the outer Sesamoid bone. They traverse these bones and leave them somewhat diminished in calibre, and each winds itself around the pastern obliquely to the front where it blends with the extensor pedis. The undivided portion of this curious liga- ment is said to contain elastic fibres, which therefore would render it extensible in a slight degree when its strength would be severely taxed. * It will be seen that the accessories of the flexors act in a direct line with their principals ; while that of the extensor suffraginis proceeds from the side obliquely to the front ; and that of the extensor pedis proceeds from behind and winds around to the front to render their assistance. 66 THE TRUE SUSPENSION OF THE LEG. The ligament last described was within the last decade very generally regarded as the principal suspensory ligament of the leg. It is not so regarded now at head quarters or by those who know that a division of this ligament does not result in letting down the limb, while a division of the tendon of the perforans does. The latter, therefore, must be regarded as the true suspensory, and the former has changed its name from suspensory to superior sesamoidtal ligament, being named rela- tively to its connections rather than to its supposed functions. I believe, however, that it has a double function, that besides the inferior suspensory power it possesses when the foot is on the ground, that it operates against an undue extension of the limb, especially in rapid action, and that it is admirably adapted for this purpose by its great strength and slightly yielding properties. ANTAGONIZING FORCES. It seems to me that were there not some antagonizing or controlling force of this kind, in rapid action, the legs would get too much extended, and the body get down too low for the animal to exert his powers to the best advantage. By none of the " locomotive physiologists '" have I found this function referred to in the production and contrast of knee action. If this view be correct, this ligament assists the flexors as well as the extensors, by receiving a share of the descending weight during action. Its attachments and properties are eminently adapted for this purpose. I believe, moreover, it is the first to act in the lifting and flexing movement of the leg, and the first to att in limiting or checking the movement of extension and confining that extension within the limits of safety. This question, however, belongs to the region of " loco- motive physiology," which I am content to leave to the great mollahs of the veterinary profession and their curious disser- tations upon the production of knee action. 57 THE SECRET OF KNEE ACTION. Transcending all other influences upon the action of the knee is that of a sound and healthy foot. This is the great producer and modifier of knee action. Ask the owners and trainers of "Dexter," "Goldsmith Maid," and "American Girl," the secret of their wonderful performances, and if they tell you truly, they will point to a piece of simple mechanism called a foot-dilator, and tell you the whole secret is in the judi- cious use of that instrument. " A word to the wise is sufficient." THE TENDINOUS EXPANSIONS Are all of the white-fibrous variety of tissues, are very tough and inextensible, and constitute those powerful investing mem- branes of joints that enclose the articulation as within a cap- sule, hence the name they commonly receive of capsular liga- ments of the large and small pastern and the coffin-joints, the latter bfeing so close to each other are continuous, and power- fully contributes towards the immunity these joints usually en- joy from dislocations, as luxations of these joints are very rare compared to those of other joints. THE LESSER LIGAMENTS OF THE ARTICULATIONS Pertaining to the lower pastern and coffin-joints are all of the same dense tough character as the last described. One class unites the ends of bones where they articulate with each other- and another may be said to brace or tie the joint upon its lateral aspects, so as not to interfere with the hinge-like motion of the joint. The former are therefore called interosseous, and the latter, lateral ligaments. The small pastern has one interosseus, and two long and two short lateral ligaments. The coffin-joint has two interosseous, two antero-lateral,. and two postero-lateral ligaments. The antero-lateral are continuous with the lateral cartilages. The stellate ligaments of the navicular bone are of this class.^ Their functions have been already referred to. 58 SYNOVIAL MEMBRANES. A COMMON ERROR CORRECTED. Of three kinds of synovial membranes that exist, the articu- latory, the vaginal and the vesicular j the two former are found, one in the foot and the other in very close proximity to it. The articulatory lie in loose folds around the articulatory surfaces, and do not as is generally supposed cover the articulating surfaces. They form circumscribed sacs it is true. Their edges are inserted along the margin of the articulating surfaces, and their office is to secrete the synovial fluid which insinuates itself between the bearing surfaces of the joint. In the coffin- joint one of these membranes encloses the articulating surfaces of three bones, those of the pedal and coronal bones; and the upper and anterior surfaces of the navicular bone ; while the inferior surface of the latter bone forms a distinct articulation with the portion of the perforans that glides upon or against it. This latter articulation has a synovial membrane independently of the one above it, and is the one nearest to the internal apex of the frog, which I have strong reasons for thinking presses upward but too frequently, and aggravates the contracted condition of the foot. The example of a vaginal mem- brane found near the foot, is that which lines the enclosed sac or sheath which is formed by the perforatus for tjie passage of the perforans, just before it reaches the navicular bone. DISEASES OF SYNOVIAL MEMBRANES AND THEIR SEQUELS. Synovial membranes are said to be non-vascular and insen- sitive, except when diseased, when they become the seat of intense pain. They are liable to acute and chronic inflamma- tion, from concussion, blows, and strains, and mechanical inju- ries, such as the puncture of a nail, broken glass, etc. They may also be affected by rheumatism. Inflammatory adhesions of their surfaces are found in the advanced stages of navicular 59 disease, and of conversion of the membrane into cartilage. The lack of a due secretion of synovia leads to consequences of a most serious nature to joints. Abrasion and absorption of the articular cartilages is the first result, leading in many cases to a species of dry-rot in the bones. A deep furrow may be plowed into the articular cartilage, as is often met with in the astragalo-tibial articulation of the hock-joint, where there is lameness without any palpable or. ocular evidence of spavin, incipient, or otherwise. The phrase occult spavin is often made to do duty for occult lameness, arising from the cause alluded to. This lesion will receive fuller consideration under the head of Springhalt. THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM OF THE FEET. 1. The Plantar Arteries. 2. Xhe Plantar Capillaries. 3. The Plantar Veins. THE PLANTAR ARTERIES. GENERAL REMARKS UPON ARTERIES. Before describing the course of the arteries of the foot, it may possibly be not altogether uninstructive to non-professional readers to learn something of the nature of that wonderful system forming a part of the general animal economy, through the agency of which every change in the tissues are effected, either for good or ill. By means of the circulatory system, the waste materials, the worn-out particles of matter are conveyed to their appropriate organs of elimination from the system ; and the new, vitalized, and vitalizing, molecules of matter deposited in their place. The value of an adequate appreciation of the facts of physi- ology having especial relation to the foot and the circulating system, is but little suspected. Believing this, I deem some few facts of this nature of sufficient importance to justify the introduction of the following brief notes upon the nature of the arteries as well as of the capillaries and veins which will follow, albeit they may be deemed somewhat advanced for many of my readers. 61 CHARACTERISTICS OF ARTERIES. Branches of arteries leave the main trunk, at obtuse, acute, and right angles. The united capacity of all the small branches is much greater than the parent trunk. Arteries do not taper, but diminish in size, by giving off other trunks and branches. The blood in arteries goes. slower the further it is from the heart. Arteries are placed in the aspect of flexion in limbs, rather than of extension. As compared with veins, they are deep-seated on the inner surface of the feet and legs. The coats of the arteries are thick, except in the brain, spi- nal cord, and the interior of bones. They are enclosed in a loose cellular sheath to allow of ver- micular motion and dilatation. They terminate in capillaries. THE MICROSCOPIC ANATOMY OF AN ARTERY Reveals the existence of three coats. 1. An external coat made up of areolar tissue, and yellow- elastic fibres ; the fibres being disposed longitudinally. 2. A middle coat, consisting of muscular and elastic fibres, both arranged in a circular form, so as to form a tube. 3. An internal coat composed of a basement membrane of elastic material, and an epithelial membrane lining the base- ment membrane. The coats are all united together by areolar tissue. Arteries have no valves, excepting one at the entrance to the aorta and pulmonary artery. An artery is distinguished by its cylindrical form ; and bleed- ing from an artery is known by its pulsatory character. An artery may be recognized by its dirty yellowish-white color. 62 An artery retains its circular form when empty, while a vein collapses. Arteries frequently anastomose with each other to form com- plete circles, especially in the brain and feet. A ligature tied round an artery, divides the middle muscular coat first on account of the circular arrangement of its fibres. ' The muscular portion of the middle coat is of the involun- tary class of muscles, and acts by means of nervous force, or stimulus, or by electricity. The. internal serous coat is very brittle. It possesses neither blood-vessels nor nerves. Arteries are very extensile, that is, they are susceptible of yielding and elongation, and of returning to their original dimensions. THE PLANTAR ARTERIES. The following account of the Plantar Arteries is derived from Spooner, on "The Foot of the Horse." " The Plantar Arteries at their origin above the fetlock form an acute angle fropi the apex of which gradually receding, they pass over the joint by the side of the sesamoid bones, and somewhat in advance of the tendons, conforming in their pro- gress to the prominence of the fetlock and the depressions of the pasterns. Below the joint, the artery, still pursuing a straight course, is, from the smaller circumference of the pas- terns, compared with the fetlock, again brought very near, and somewhat in advance of the perforatus tendon, and so con- tinues till the termination of the tendon, when the artery itself is hidden from view by the lateral cartilage. It here inclines somewhg,t forwards, being surrounded by the substance of the cushion, and just within the upper part of the wings of the coffin-bone it enters a groove which conveys it downwards and forwards to the foramen on the posterior concavity of the bone, just under the coffin joint. The artery within the substance of the bone takes a circular direction, and joins its fellow on the other side, from which circumstance it is designated by Pro- fessor Coleman the circulus arteriosus. In the course we have; 63 described, being common to both, the plantar arteries send out many branches to the neighboring parts. " The first of importance after a few small vessels about the fetlock is called by Mr. Percival, the perpendicular artery, and rises about half way down the os suffraginis, and takes its course forwards and downwards to the coronary substance where it anastomoses with its fellow and forms an arch called the superficial coronary from whence proceed about eighteen small descending arteries whose office it is to secrete the crust. " The second branch of importance is the transverse artery, which crosses over to the front of the os coronae, underneath the extensor tendon, and joins the corresponding branch from the other side, forming the Superior Coronory circle, which gives off numerous small vessels, some of which, passing down- wards communicate with the inferior coronary artery before described. " Thirdly, the plantar arteries, having given off these vessels anteriorly distribute others posteriorly, the first of which is the artery of the frog, which rises opposite the pastern joint, and enters obliquely the substance of the sensitive frog, where it divides into two branches, one going to the toe, and the other to the heels of the frog, the latter of which sends branches to the cartilages. " Fourthly, just as the main trunk reaches the coffin-bone, a large branch, the lateral laminal, is given off, which enters the foramen in the wings of the bone, and then, winds around it in a groove to the front of the foot sending branches in every direction to the sensible laminae, and then enters by a smaller foramen in the antero-lateral part of the bone and joins the circulus arteriosus within it. From this artery a branch is given off which joins the circumflex. "The Circulus Arteriosus presents a corresponding course within the bone, to that described by its external border, and gives rise to two sets of vessels : "First. — ^The Anterior Laminal Arteries, very small and numerous branches which proceed through the foramina of the coffin-bone and are distributed on the laminae. 64 " Secondly. — The Inferior Communicating Arteries, thirteen or fourteen in number, proceed through the foramina in front of the coffin-bone and supply the Circumflex Artery which en- circles the toe of the os pedis and from which blood is usually abstracted when a horse is bled in the foot. " From the Circumflex, proceed the Solar Arteries, thirteen or fourteen in number, which, taking a radiated course towards the centre of the foot, furnish the sensible sole with its requi- site nourishment, and form the net-work of vessels from -which the horny sole is secreted." THE PLANTAR CAPILLARIES. An extremeiy interesting study is the capillary system, or cir- culation. It is important to be acquainted with some of its salient features ; as much so, indeed, as with the arterial and venous systems of circulation. The great object of the capil- lary circulation is to minister to the functions of secretion and nutrition, as these operations can only be carried on while the blood is in circulation. The term capillary is used to denote all the minute vessels which pass between and connect the arter- ies and veins. It has been estimated that the aggregate area of the cap- illaries is eight hundred times larger than that of the arteries which supply them. They are generally uniform in size, varying but a little in different places. They are smallest in the brain, the lungs and spinal cord, and largest in medullary matter, fat, etc. The smallest are about 3,600th and the largest about i,sooth of an inch in diameter. They have but one coat, which is of a homoge- neous character. They are nourished by imbibition. Their course is the same as the fibres of the tissues through which they ramify. They commence in arteries and terminate in veins. They anastomose very frequently with each other, and form a net- work of wonderful minuteness. 65 The function of the capillaries is to distribute the nutritive elements to the most minute portions of the tissues. The arteries themselves are not supplied with nutriment from the blood that passes through them, but by vessels from the col- lateral branches termed the vasa vasorum. These minute sys- tems within systems remind one of the Hudibrastic conceit: " Great fleas have little fleas Upon their backs, to bite *em, And little fleas have lesser fleas ; And so, ad infinitum,^^ A certain regulative or distributive power exists in the walls of the capillaries, on the tissues which they traverse. PHYSIOLOGICAL FACTS. Though the red cells of the blood pass through them, as a rule, in single file, sometimes the capillaries enlarge to admit several files to pass at once. The velocity of the current is liable to great and sudden variations from local influences, and when the action of the heart is enfeebled, stagnation some- times takes place, which is often overcome by the vigorous ac- tion of the heart. Impairment of the functions of the blood, by which it is not duly aerated, retards the flow of the blood through the capil- laries, the tissues being deprived of the proper amount of their appropriate stimulus. This has been verified by experiment in the lungs. The change in the condition of the blood in re- gard to the relative proportions of its oxygen and carbonic acid is the only one to which the pulmonary circulation is subservi- ent. Any circumstance which increases the functional energy of a part, or stimulates it to increased nutrition, will occasion an increase in the supply of blood, irrespective of any change in the heart's action. An undue acceleration of the local cir- culation constitutes the state known as active congestion, hy- persemia, or determination of blood. 66 When inflammation is produced, there is a stagnation of blood and a depression or change of its functions. When blood de- termines to the head from mental exertion, and the extremities become cold and livid, the circulation should be equalized by friction and exercise. In congestion of any organ there is deficient functional en- ergy and retarded circulation. This condition predisposes to inflammation. It is always relieved by promoting the action of the part affected. THE PLANTAR VEINS. GENERAL REMARKS UPON THE VEINS. ■Veins are superficial or deep-seated. Their innter coat is much more tough than the corresponding coat of arteries. Veins anastomose more frequently with each other than arteries. Veins accompany arteries in their course, the rule being that large arteries have one vein accompanying them, the middle- sized ones, two, and the smaller ones, seldom any. Like the arteries, the veins have three coats in their struc- tural formation : ; 1. An external one — fibro-cellular, delicate and loose out- wardly, but having a firm attachment to the middle coat. • 2. A middle one, a combination of circular muscular and of longitudinally elastic fibres, but of a much thinner sub-: stance, possessing, however, less contractile force and greater strength than the corresponding coat of the arteries. 3. An internal serous membrane, consisting of a basement and an epithelial covering. Veins are more numerous than the arteries, and are more superficially placed. No veins have been found in the interior of bones. As a rule, veins have valves in their interior. Valves are rendered necessary by the propelling force of the arteries having be, come lost before the veins are reached. 61 When the blood passes from the capillaries into the veins, it runs very slowly, but increases in speeld as it reaches the heart. The flow of blood in the veins is assisted by valves where it has to asscend against the force of gravity. The valves are numerous. They open toward the heart. They may be single, double, or treble, according to locality. There are some important exceptions to this rule. Besides other organs, the veins of the brain and the / removes the lameness. How this stricture can be removed will be shown by and by. It is not an unfrequent source of lame-* ness, and in general it is easily removed, leaving the animal perfectly sound in action. Reverse these conditions, and we have the most frequent cause of lameness, and, moreover, is THE INVARIABLE CAUSE OF QUARTER-CRACKS. Let the lower margin of the wall co-arct, or close in preter-| naturally at the quarters, and there will be a corresponding enlargement of area at the upper margin. The coronary liga- ment receives an undue amount of pressure, and quarter-crack is the very common result. One of the most common causes of this falling in or wiring in of the quarters is " cleaning out the heels " whenever the horse is shod, and exposing the soft parts to the drying, and therefore contracting, influences of the atmosphere. Occasionally there is lameness when the crack starts ; sometimes there is none. There is obviously here an outward pressure of the internal tissues, which are not permit-^ 96 >'ted to exert their force at the bottom of the foot, where the jwall is strongest, by reason of the wired in or contracted con- Idition of that portion of the quarters. Atrophy of those tissues, 'producing atrophy of the hoof structures, I think would be a very unsatisfactory explanation of the phenomenal conditions under consideration. There is crowding, pressure, enlargement, bursting out, and rupture of the horny investment, but no wasting or shrinking implied at this stage of the malady. I lind inva- riably associated with quarter-crack this contracted lower mar- gin ; and as I cannot, for yery obvious reasons, consider the crack the cause of the contraction, I assign the cause of the /crack to contraction. The cure of contraction is also the cure of the crack, and the cure of the crack is the cure of contrac- tion. The cause and the effect are both removable at the same time. I will make it appear at the proper place that a crack of this nature can be closed up effectually, without a nail, clasp I or rivet other than what goes through the shoe, or ligature" of any kind. The lameness consequent upon these lesions of the I hoof disappear usually within a fortnight. The cracks can never Ibe burst open again while the shoe is properly attached, and remains stronger than the hoof I have treated hundreds of such cases, and a single failure is unknown to me. Not a mark s made with a knife or firing-iron upon the external surface of ;he hoof, and it would require an acute observer to detect the jxistence of a crack, or that anything whatever had been done [to the feet. No mean advantage, this, over every other plan pf treatment. Even the bar-shoe is dispensed with. THE DISEASES OF THE FOOT OF THE HORSE. CONTRACTION. SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT. The reader will now be prepared to follow me intelligently in the practical application of the theory with which I should expect he is tolerably familiar. The evidences of contraction are both positive and negative. POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE EVIDENCE. Positive evidence is the shape and contour of the foot. A practiced eye can detect a contracted foot without lifting it from the ground, or seeing the animal move, by standing in front of the animal and noting the inclination of the quarters — that is, whether they incline downwards and outwards, which is normal, or downwards and inwards, which is abnormal. This latter conditi^ is that termed wiring in, and if a horse with- such quarters is not lame in some degree, he is in a fair way of becoming so, or else, what sometimes occurs, the internal struc- tures of his feet have become adapted to the changed contour of the hoof. These are exceptional cases, however ; the former constitute the rule. The touch of the finger or open hand of experience will detect the slightest departure from natural tem- perature. The normal temperature of the healthy foot is that of the surrounding atmosphere. Any increase or decrease from this criterion is abnormal. Lameness or tenderness, in the absence of any other symptom sufficient to account for its ex- istence, would complete the positive evidence of a morbidly contracted condition of the foot. It is that absence that con- stitutes the negative evidence in such a case. No crack, corn, bruise, or sprain being detected, the inference is a tolerably safe one that simple contraction is present. I may here inform the student that, -having mastered the details of the operation for contraction, he has acquired in the main all that is neces- sary for the safe application of it to all the other diseases of the foot. Some minor details only will have to be described as applicable to each particular case. It is desirable in all cases where the foot is hard and unyield- ing to immerse the foot or feet in a warm flax-seed poultice for 24 hours before operating; but this is not essential. The foot can be prepared, the shoe attached, and the poulticing take, place afterwards, if certain exigencies, of time or other circum- stances, do not admit of the opposite course. If the foot is in a fair condition for expanding, the foregoing observations do not apply. PREPARATION OF THE FOOT. ■ First, the old shoe being removed, be sure about the exist- ence of corns. Sometimes they lie concealed, and if not de- tected and disposed of, will occasion disappointment. Being satisfied that there are no corns, and that the case is one of con- traction only, proceed to examine the state of the quarters, as to whether they are weak, thin, shelly, and brittle, or whether they are strong, thick, tough, and sound, wiUl^i't^Sence to their capacities for the reception of nails into^^jS-^^tfaiance, remembering that the shoe has not merelj^rabe^atj^ched to the quarters, but that the nails must grip theA so firmly, that when the shoe is expanded the quarters will ljiaffexpandeid''like- wise in the same act. %; > Passing the nails through the centre of the substance of the wall is not sufficient, however high they may be driven, as they are apt to burst out when force is applied to them. The nail should be pointed fairly within the inner edge of the wall, and take a short firm grip, the nails coming out not higher than one inch from the shoe. Nothing short of this will be sufficient for the purpose. If the capacity of the wall be doubted to stand this kind of nailing, it is better to omit nails in the quarters and apply a shoe with inside clips turned up at the extreme ends of the shoe. In preparing the foot, the next point to consider is 99 FORM. By form is meant the proper angle or slope of the foot. If the foot is too long at the toe it is equivalent to lowering the heel and increasing the strain upon the flexor tendon. It also lowers the instep, and frequently presses the tendon of the extensor between the hoof and the highest part of the coffin- bone, while if it is too elevated at the heels, which again is equivalent to being . too low at the toes, a tendency to fall or stumble is promoted by it. When there is an abundance of horn, and the foot will bear • some reduction in size, the reduction should be made in refer- ence to the slope of the fetlock. As a rule, the slope of the foot should be a continuation of the slope of the fetlock. If the heels are low and weak, they must not be made a particle lower, but the strength and thickness of the shoes at heels and toes must be considered with reference to the same points, namely : the just equilibrium of the animal over himself, pre- ferring a slight extra elevation to any undue depression of the heels. When it is remembered that the horse is being shod to correct certain pathological conditions, and that the floors of almost every stable have a sloping surface, it will be seen how much a little extra elevation of the heels will contribute to his standing, at ease in the stable, and how injurious the opposite condition must be. After ^Q pathological shoes have done their work, the use of the same kind of shoe should be continued, omitting the back- nailing, and using calks or not, or modifying them to suit the animal's habits of going. As a rule I do not approve of the use of toe-calks except under special circumstances, such as for slow draught work, and during the continuance of frosty weather when their use appears to be indispensible. I may further remark that I think no shoes should remain upon the feet of any horse, without being removed or renewed, whether the animal is working or resting for longer than twenty days. To return to the preparation of the foot. After a perfectly level bearing has been obtained for the shoe, not a particle of 100 the sole should be removed by the knife, neither /ore nor a/t. The heels require opening as far as can be done without draw- ing blood, and the opening in any case should not be larger than is necessary for the Clip to fit into it, and grip the quar- ters behind what is called the angle of inflection. If nailing should be resolved upon, one nail should be got into this very spot, the others at distances dividing the nailing space between them evenly. / The line of union between the frog and bars should be weak- ened slightly towards the apex of the frog, but deeply poste- riorly into the commissures. The central frog-fissure should be opened a little through the centre from base to apex. I must here acquaint the student of the intention to cause the principal expansion of the hoof right through the centre. It is not the sides or quarters that is to be torn from their imme- diate connections as some have imagined, but the hoof is made to expand by widening the area of the large triangular fissure into which the frog is inserted like a wedge. The frog has also a central fissure which makes it easy for it to yield. The frog has then more room, internally and externally, and this is the objective point to attain. Give all the tis'sues room and that is really all that is needed. The one necessary condition in the form of the shoe, is that it shall have a flat, even-bearing surface, upon sole and wall alike, extending fully over the anterior two-thirds of the foot THE BEST KIND OF SHOE. The convex shoe as understood by horse-shoers, supplies this condition. Such a shoe should be fitted as directed, the heels have a good cover even if a small portion of the frog has to be removed to eff'ect this. The outer superior edge of the shoe should be made to coincide with the outer inferior edge of the wall, right home to the heels. A short-heeled shoe will spoil the whole thing. Nevermind appearances if the shoes are narrow at the heels. The di- lator will change all that. 101 NAIL HOLES AND NAILING. In punching the nail-holes due regard must be had to the substance of the wall and its obliquity, as a corresponding ob- lique direction must be given to the nail-holes. Without this precaution the whole work will be nullified, unless clips are used. When the shoe is properly fitted, it should be finished in the vice, sharp edges and burrs being removed with rasp or file. An important point (every point is important in this operation), is to weaken the shoe at the point it is desirable for it to yield, when the dilator is applied. By the position of the weak part of the shoe it can be made to yield in any outward direction desirable. If it is desired to expand both sides, the nick in the form of a V should be made as near the centre of the toe as possible, on its inner edge. If one side only is to be expanded, the nick must be made away from the centre to the side it is proposed to expand. Whether with clips or back-nails, the shoe should be nailed on rather lightly than otherwise. ' Close up ' and ' draw on ' very lightly, remembering that the foot has to be immersed in a poultice, and that this will tighten the nails to some extent, and further that the animal is under- going, a surgical operation and is not intended for work until these shoes have been removed and nailing suited to the work or exercise the animal is required to perform, is adapted. The dilator may now be applied, its arms being inserted within the heels of the shoe, and two or three gradual turns of the screw taken. At every turn of the screw the foot should be surveyed to see that the nails or the clips are acting fairly. The instant the horse evinces the least uneasiness, the ex- pansion should be stayed, the foot placed in a poultice, and another turn or two of the dilator given the next day or the day following. This is continued until good full-sized heels are obtained and the animal is free from lameness. The poul- tices should be kept on night and day, and except during the time allotted for exercise, which should be given from the first or second day, beginning with half an hour's exercise a day, 102 and gradually increasing according to the animal's capability, feeding well the whole time. In about a week's time, should the lameness not disappear, or the case should not appear to progress satisfactorily, the shoes should be removed and an examination made ; the ob- • stacks to progress discovered if possible; a re-adjustment of the shoes effected, and cautious dilation again pursued, not for- getting the persistent use of the softening poultice, both night and day. There is not more than one case in a hundred of simple contraction that will not yield to simple expansion. In coarse-bred horses the same care should be taken in attaching the shoe, but the same nicely regulated exercise is not so necessary as in the. well-bred trotter or runner. Light work for such horses is preferable to standing in the stable. In very many cases Sweeny or Atrophy of the shoulder mus- cles is the result of contraction. See Article on Sweeny. LAMINITIS — ACUTE RHEUMATISM. ACUTE FOUNDER. SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT. There are various designations of this disease, the prominent symptoms of which are the extreme painfulness of progression) the high sympathetic fever, and the peculiar attitude assumed by the animal to relieve the fore parts of its feet from pressure, the very opposite symptom of the navicular disease. Accord- ing to the severity of the disease will be the manifestations of pain, the difficulty of progression, and the extent to which he throws his weight upon his heels. Whether they be hind or fore, or all four, feet, the animal's endeavor is plainly to press as little as possible upon the fore parts of the feet. The fore feet are oftener attacked than the hind ones; less frequently are all the four feet, and more rarely still the hind without the fore feet. It lies down, and is very unwilling to rise when it is down. It wears a very anxious look and painful expression, and sweats very much in a severe case. The temperature- of 103 the foot is raised, the arteries throb, and the, superficial veins become very much distended. The pulse increases in force and number, frequently goitig up to 80, and even 100. In slight cases the countenance is tranquil, and he merely shifts his weight from one foot to the other. This latter may be one of the fluctuations of the. chronic condition, attracting little notice, but eventually, in most cases, it prepares the way for a subsequent and more violent attack. PROXIMATE CAUSES OF LAMINITIS. Some of the immediate causes that contribute to an acute attack of this disease deserve mention. Amongst these I deem over exertion, when the animal is out of tone, and the weather is wet and cold, as a very common cause of this disorder. Fast driving, after standing inordinately in a stable, is very apt to produce it, especially in hot weather, and cold water being given the animal to drink. So that too much or too little work may equally be regarded as causing it. A horse is often affected in one foot after standing a long time upon it, in consequence of a morbid condition of the other. The standing necessary in such a case is known to be a second- ary cause of this disease. Inaction arrests the natural flow of blood through the veins, producing congestion and its conse- quences. Wheat, and all kinds of rich food given or taken in inordi- nate quantities is a well-known cause that leads to laminitis, by clogging the stomach and deranging the digestive processes. The thoroughbred horse is more often affected than any other class from the latter cause. High feeding and inactivity, so foreign to the natural habits of the animal, leads to that mys- terious process called metastasis, aff'ecting the brain, the thora- cic and abdominal viscera, and the feet. I entertain no doubt whatever that pneumonia and pleurisy, gastritis and laminitis, and possibly other visceral derangements, as well as those of the skin, are often the products of indigestion. Elsewhere (see article on Tetanus) I have alluded to the func- tions of the nervous system, through which the changes of loca- 104 tion in certain diseases, of .which laminitis in one of its forms is effected. I am equally convinced that the same or angther class of diseases, 'namely, of the blood, in what is called the ' rheumatic diathesis,' may be inter-communicable between the respiratory, the digestive, and the locomotive organs, through the medium, primarily, of the circulatory system, as well as the sympathetic ramifications of the nervous system. In this view may be found a possible solution of A PROBLEM THAT PUZZLES MOST WRITERS to account for, and an approach to a rational explanation of the modus operandi by which the inter-transpositions of disease of any one organ to any other may be effected ; in short, how the process termed ml^tastasis operates. THE CURE, " THAT IS THE QUESTION." The various stages and degrees of development of laminitis are known by the terms early and late, congestive and inflam- matory ; and although the latter term is objectionable as ap- plied to all morbid conditions of the laminae, it will be of in- finitely more importance than discussing the propriety of the term, to show how the local causes, proximate and remote, that produce this diseased condition can be effectually counter- acted, the morbid conditions reversed, and the cure effected in the shortest space of time, and with the least possible loss of the animal's services, no matter what stage of congestion, inflam- mation, or disconnection of the laminal attachments may have been reached. OCTOGENARIAN VETERINARIANS. I am conscious that I am now stating views which are not in accord with those of all veterinary writers who have written , hitherto upon this subject, and that my statements will excite sundry incredulous shrugs of the shoulders, a dubious expres- sion of the lips, or a skeptical elevation of the eye-brows, and perhaps all of these together, on the part of some of our octo- 105 genarian veterinarians. " What ! " it will be said, " Are we to discard all those principles of treatment of which time and ex- perience has taught us the expedience and suitability, and nail upon a foot already suffering an extreme degree of pain a mass of iron, the mere nailing on of which must have the effect of inflicting a still higher degree of torture ? Such a proceeding would be preposterous in the last degree ; absolutely absurd, and a piece of downright folly and cruelty. The man who pro- poses to treat laminitis by any such means is a knave or a fool, or perhaps both, whose descent in the scale of barbarity has reached the very lowest depths of infamous indifference to the sufferings of the 'noble horse.' " THE KIND OF RECEPTION. This is the kind of reception I expect for my proposal to ex- pand the quarters of a foundered horse, to create pressure on the sole of the foot, to elevate, rather than to depress the heels, and generally to act diametrically opposite to all approved principles of treatment handed down to us by our grandmothers. The general mode of affixing the shoe is the same as in con- traction. SPECIAL POINTS IN SHOEING FOR LAMINITIS require, however, to be b9rne in mind : To guard against any further descent of the sole than what has taken place, rasp the lower circumferent margin of the wall, and prepare the foot and the shoe so that the weight of the animal shall be home entirely by the sole at its broadest portion. If the foot is large and flat, a light bar may be placed upon the shoe across the broadest part. The shoe should also be broad in the web, and the quarters only should be expanded. If the foot is medium or small-sized, the bar may be dispensed with, but the shoe should be relatively broad in the web, with its whole bearing '■right on' to the sole. Further descent of the sole is then impossible, and exercise judiciously adapted to the animal's capability, will produce a rapid change in its loco- motive powers. H 106 t Moderate elevation of the heels I find to be productive of ore benefit than lowering them, as is the practice in the treat- ent of the inventor of a shoe, denominated ; ^ ^ w I ,, BROiffi'S LAMINITIS SHOE," well known in England. I enjoyed the advantage of being that gentleman's chief assistant for over a year, and am there- fore familiar with his principles and plans of treatment. I well remember the obloquy sought to be cast upon his special treat- ment by those who were not acquainted with its merits, and I anticipate a similar, if not a worse reception for my theory and method of treatment as applicable to the same disease. A POINT OF SOME IMPORTANCE, as relieving pressure from the part immediately affected in laminitis, is to omit the nails nearest the toe, one on each side, and with the knife or rasp remove a small portion of the horn, at the toe, extending on each side as far as the nail-holes, so that when the animal's weight is on the ground, a knife or any similar instrument may be passed between the shoe and the toe. Every smith knows what is meant by easing the heels. What I require is a similar easing of the toe. A moment's re- flection will reveal the value of this simple expedient when the pain is the anterior region of the foot. When the animal places his foot upon the ground, in such a case, pressure and concus- % sion at the toe^ obviated, his weight is borne by the broadest and soundest part of the foot, and some relief from pain in progression is the immediate consequence. A ROLLING MOTION EXPEDIENT. Further, a slight rounding of the shoe from heel to toe, by giving a ^rolling motion'' to the foot when in action, and by causing the broadest part of the foot to receive the animal's weight instead of the toe during progression, is also an advan- tage in bad cases, the value of which will be appreciated whenever the expedient is adopted. Horses given to stumble under ordinary circumstances are immensely benefited by giv- ing the shoe this form. It is not a practice, however, that I can recommend for the trotting horse, intended to be driven at the highest rate of speed, as a certain amount of leverage power is necessarily lost by shifting the point of contact with the ground from the toe to the broad part of the foot. I scarcely need say that the old shoe should be removed and the expanding shoe attached with all the care possible under the circumstances, and the expansion should be gradual, and adapted to the exigencies of the cases. "Thorough poulticing is, of course, a prime necessity, to soften the horn and to soothe the pain. LOCAL BLEEDING DESIRABLE. Depletion of the blood-vessels of the affected foot or feet, may be employed or not. It is not, as a rule, an essential pro- ceeding. I must say, however, that I think recoveries take place quicker in extremely acute cases, when about a quart of blood has been taken from each foot before affixing the expand- ing shoe. This is one of the few cases in which I tolerate bleeding. CONSTITUTIONAL TREATMENT. If the animal suffers much constitutional irritation, sedatives, such as aconite, arnica, belladonna, hyoscyamus, or opium (see Appendix of Formulae) may be administered with advantage ; and in extreme cases the same agents may be added to the poultices, applied to the feet. This, however, is rarely required' the relief of pressure given by the expansion of the quarters having an almost magical effect in relieving both the local and constitutional symptoms of pain. Judicious exercise, once, twice, or three times a day for short periods, suitable to the exigencies of the case, as it promotes the circulation of new blood through the foot, will restore a healthy tone to the tissues in a surprisingly short time. The foregoing is an outline of the treatment I have found to be as far ahead of Mr. Broad's special treatment, as that gentleman's is in advance of the ordinary professional routine, implied in the phrase " antiphlo- gistic measures to the fullest extent." See Chronic Laminitis. 108 CHRONIC LAMINITIS; CHRONIC FOUNDER; PUMICED FOOT. AUTHORIZED ERRORS COMBATED. There is no material difference in the pathological conditions implied by these terms. The two first are the technical and common designations for the same conditions. The third ex- presses an external characteristic of the sole of the foot which in most cases is the result of an acute attack of laminitis, or it may be produced by the gradual displacement and descent of the sole and cofSn-bone without the intervention of any very active inflammatory, or other morbid process, whereby the laminal attachments have become preternaturally elongated, ewakened, and eventually separated in the anterior region of the foot. In either case it is the legitimate product of the never-to-be-sufficiently-deprecated process of sole-gouging, frog- paring, and all-wall-and-no-sole-supporting errors, in preparing and applying the shoe to ihe foot. SUPPORT THE SOLE. All feet are liable to this morbid condition as long as these errors dominate the practice of horse-shoeing, and, of course, the broad, squaitty foot of the heavy, cart-breed variety, is pecu- liarly liable to lameness from the foregoing causes. I can not, however, conceive of any foot whatever being liable to it if the sole is supported upwards, the frog allowed to press down- ivards and the quarters kept wide. This principle applied to shoeing will prevent the flattest of feet from becoming convex or bulging at the sole, whether applied before or after the onslaught of laminitis. The smith can easily prevent it, and the " doctor " may readily cure it. Nothing is easier for either if the true principle of shoeing is adopted in one case, and a rational rule of practice applied in the other. " Support the Sole " should be equally the maxim of the smith and the docr tor. Superadded to this, in the mind of the latter should be, force it back if it comes down. 109 'HIGH AUTHORITY AND STUBBORN FACTS." I have heard it stated by a very high authority, that it was preposterous to suppose that the coffin-bone could be re-instated in its former position when rupture of its laminar attachments had taken place. " Once there is a disconnection between the Horny and sensitive structures, there is no possibility of res- toring them to their normal healthy condition ; " and I thought so too until I was able to demonstrate otherwise. It is to be regretted that the ' highest authorities ' are not altogether exempt from a liability to error, as the inconsistencies of their utterances with demonstrable facts, occasionally prove. I do not say that every case of pumiced foot can be restored to normal healthy conditions, but I do say, that recent cases of displacement and descent of the coffin-bone, even after the toe of the bone has become visible, and a wide fissure exists between the bone and the wall, replacement of the bone to its proper place is not only possible, but'easy of accomplishment, by simply counteracting the local causes which produced the lesion. A DEMONSTRABLE FACT. I have now to state a fact of practice which will surprise many; and were it not a fact of much practical importance and value in the treatment of such cases, I should prefer to withhold it, as I know it will be doubted by some, and scouted by others as a " coinage of the brain," etc. It is this, that when the sole has descended, and the toe of the coffin-bone has pro- truded through the sole, the re-instatement of the bone and the sole may be facilitated by expanding the heels, and lowering the frog, even though the foot be a flat one, and it would appear as the height of folly to do so. THE WHY AND THE WHEREFORE. The view which I have given elsewhere of the correlative relations of each part of the foot with its opposite, will clearly explain the " why and the wherefore " of this. I may re-state this view, thus : as the descent of the sole is always accom- 110 panied by the ascent of the frog, the closing in of the quarters, and by increasing the area enclosed by the anterior and antero- lateral parts of the wall ; so the requisite means being taken to force the sole upwards, and to expand the quarters, the ascent of the sole is followed by a descent of the frog, the widening of the quarters, and a diminution of the space enclosed by the/ anterior and antero-lateral portions of the wall. COMMON SENSE SHOEING THE DESIDERATUM. Such is the present state of general information upon the subject of shoes and shoeing, and their relations to the produc-. tion or prevention of diseases of the feet of horses, that thou- sands of these " noble quadrupeds " are to be found in this chronic condition, in its different stages, who are suffering an incalculable amount of misery, which for the most part, is abso- lutely preventable and curable by one and the same means, namely, a common-sense method of shoeing. The incurable are the old confirmed cases of pumiced foot, and I am not cer- tain that a large percentage of these would not yield to a persevering application of the principles upon which the more recent cases are recoverable. HOW TO SHOE THE PUMICED FOOT. The following are Spooner's directions for shoeing a. pumiced foot, which in old cases I cannot improve : " The assistance of the leather sole and the bar shoe is called for in these cases; the former for the purpose of diminishing concussion, and protecting the sole ; the latter for affording pressure to the frog, and thus enabling it to relieve the crust by supporting a portion of the superincumbent weight. Un- usual care, however, is necessary in the application of the sole, and the arrangement of the tow and stopping under it, in order that there should be no undue pressure at any particular part. Equal care, too, must be exercised in driving the nails, in con- sequence of the thinness of the horn, and for the same reason they should not be too large, although it is necessary that they ' Ill should be more numerous than common, on account of the greater weight of iron to be attached to the foot. If the shoes be not worn out, they should be allowed to remain on longer than the usual time." NAVICULAR DISEASE. CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS. I am convinced that this disease in its pronounced and ad- vanced form is not nearly of such frequent occurrence as it is generally supposed to be. Its prominent symptom is progres- sion upon the fore part of the feet, and a peculiar action that betrays an unwillingness to let the posterior part come into contact with the ground. This symptom is the most easily dis- tinguishable when the animal is going up or down hill. Upon rising ground the animal often goes as if nothing ails its feet, but as soon as it travels down-hill, it evinces a painful condi- tion of the feet of a decided character, and a tread upon a small stone will cause it to stumble badly, and perhaps to fall. The difference also between its progression on hard or soft ground is equally manifest. As a rule its progress and development is coincident with the gradual co-arctation or closing in of the upper or lower diameters of the hoof, and especially the lower or perhaps both in some instances, the causes of which have been fully dis- cussed elsewhere in this work. I regard its production by accident or 2. false step as of very exceptional occurrence. An occurrence of this nature may cause this disease in the hind foot or feet, but it never occurs in those feet unless from acci- dent. This condition is commonly associated with a condition of the frog that appears as if it were drawn up into the centre of the foot to be out of the way of the ground. The temperature of the foot as a rule is increased after exer- tion in this disease, and, after standing in the stable for a short time, after being at an elevated temperature, I have found such feet to be abnormally cold. The blood taken from the 112 foot at this time would be very black and cold, affording evi- dence of venous congestion. I regard unequal temperature under equal conditions as a very suspicious symptom, if not absolutely diagnostic of this disease. RHEUMATIC SYMPTOMS and those of this disease are so similar that one is mistaken frequently for the other. The animal appears lamer in one foot to-day and in the other to-morrow, and so on, as in rheu- matism. That unrelieved pressure of the hoof upon the sensi- tive structures within it should produce a great variety of lesions, sometimes of the bones, especially the navicular bone, and at others of the synovial membrane ; and again of the flexor tendon by weakening its attachment to the coffin-bone, and in short predisposes all the sensitive tissues to take on specific lesions, varying according to the idiopathic tendencies or proximate local causes I have not the shadow of a doubt. Cases ofa purely accidental nature excepted, I cannot imagine the existence of navicular disease where there is no contractign. I believe if all feet were shod properly we should scarcely hear of a case in a few years and any hereditary tendency that might exist would be rapidly eliminated. I have absolutely cured so many cases of diseased feet that had been pronounced by good general practitioners to be the subjects of navicular disease, that I never consider a case to be one of that character until I have had it under treatment for three or four weeks, when if I cannot have effected a very marked improvement, I consider such a case to be one of ad- vanced and probably incurable navicular disease. Out of hundreds of such cases I have not found more than two that I could so regard. I am therefore Jed to consider that this latter disease is much more rare than it is generally supposed to be. The true character of the disease will soon be revealed by the fact that some good but not much is effected by softening and expanding the foot. This process will always ameliorate when it cannot cure, and gives the animal the best possible 113 chance for the beneficial application of further remedial measures. '.THE MODUS OPERANDI OF TREATMENT is precisely the same as in simple contraction with which mor- bid condition, I repeat my conviction, it will be found to be identical in a vast majority of such cases. RINGBONE. ETIOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY. The following presents in brief outline my views of the etiol- ogy and pathology of this diseased condition. Abnormal con- traction of the quarters ; the wasted frog tissues ; the elevated margins of the great sole fissure ; the unnaturally upright pas- tern constitute the sequence of causes that produce disease in . the bones of the navicular joint, of which the os coronis is the superior in point of position. Like all other morbid condi- tions, especially of the bony structures, there may be in some cases a constitutional tendency to their production under favor- ing local conditions. What more favoring conditions could be imagmed for the production of Ringbone, with or without any congenital tendency, or "Ringbone diathesis " as it is tech- nically termed, than morbid contraction and its sequent causes } TREATMENT OF RINGBONE. When Ringbone is detected in its incipient stage its removal is easy and certain, first by treating the foot as for simple con- traction and by promoting absorption of the newly effused bony matter around the bone. Acupuncturation of the en- largement will efiect this in conjunction with the use of either the bi-chloride or the bin-iodide of mercury. See Preparations in the Appendix of Formulae. Any enlargement of the tissues adjacent to the superior mar- j gin of the wall of the hoof will be accommodated by the ex- ] 114 pansion of the hoof, and thus lameness will be obviated if not present, and removed if it is, since it is the enlargement and pressure of the internal tissures against the superior portion of (the hoof that mainly causes the pain upon which the lamenpss is dependent. I have treated considerable enlargements in this region by the measures I have indicated with the most satisfactory re- sults. Even the cases of confirmed and chronic Ringbone, attended with lameness, may be so benefitted by adapting na- ture's boot, the hoof, to the foot, that the lameness can be got rid of where the enlargements are immovable. OSSIFICATION OF THE LATERAL CARTILAGES. KTIOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY. This is a morbid condition of these cartilages which is the direct effect of preternatural contraction of the quarters. These cartilages are appendages to the wings of the coiBn-bone, and participate in the effects of any lateral pressure which may be exerted against those wings by the contracting and contracted quarters. As already shewn in the anatomy of these structures, they play an important part in the elastic springing arrange- ments of the posterior portions of the foot, and any interfer- ence with the due fulfilment of their functions, will, sooner or later, be manifested by changes in their structural condition, Many examples may be cited of ossification of cartilage in the general animal economy, which are mainly attributable to con-, stitutional tendency, and to old age. Whatever congenital tendency may exist to this morbid manifestation, old age can- not be alleged as a pre-disposing cause in horses from four to seven years old, on whose feet they are as frequently seen as on old horses. These are examples of a spurious exostosis as they result from the conversion of cartilage into bone, whereas a true exostosis is the production of bone from bone. Manipulation with the fingers and the fact of the predominence of heat in the 115 region occupied by these cartilages will enable any one to detect this morbid process in the early stage. TREATMENT OF OSSIFIED LATERAL CARTILAGES. Precisely the same treatment as that indicated for Ringbone will remove both the causes and the effects, and render the animal perfectly sound again. If absolute and complete ossi4 fication has ensued, I cannot predicate such a result, but tha worst cases can be immensely benefited by expanding the quarters, and giving plenty of room for these hardened tissues. Mercurial applications, too, are beneficial when the anifaial is not too old. See Appendix of Formulae for the Preparations. CORN. CAUgES AND SYMPTOMS— THE OLD THEORY. I used to believe in a very pretty theory concerning the •cause and seat of corn until I knew better. According to that theory, the seat of corn was exactly under the wing of the coifin-bone, and the cause, vertical pressure and concussion produced by the combined weight of the animal and the freever- ifcal movements of the coffin-bone, hammering and bruising the vascular structures coming between the heel of the coffin- bone and the iron heel of the shoe. The elements of the theory were an active and a passive agent, and sensitive tissues suffering between them. The illustration of the theory was irresistable ! An anvil, a hammer, the active agents. The iron shoe was the passive agent, the anvil; the coffin-bone represented the active element, the hammer, which was wielded by the motive power of the foot, and the sensitive structures the thing hammered and bruised between them. It seems a pity almost to spoil such a theory, but facts are inexorable; and from a logical conclusion there is no escape, if the conclu- sion is a sound one. THE WRITER'S THEORY. \ The facts are that the seat of com is close to the angle of 116 inflection^ and the position of the wing of the coffin-bone con- siderably anterior to it, not directly over it ; that the movements of the coffin-bone are perfectly natural and considerably raised above the senitive secreting structure of the sole at this part, and there is a f^bro-elastic pad between the secreting struc- ture and the bone. . Free action of the bone impHes healthy action, and such action per se could not crush tissues between it and the iron shoe. If we admit that this action might become abnormal, then it would follow that the injured, tissue? would be those coming directly between the active and passive agents, and such is not the case, for the corn is devel- oped nearly two inches away from the heel or wing of the coffin- bone, at the spot where the walls of the angle approximate and unite to form the angle. . jr\ , i OrutJ CONTRACTION OR LATERAL PRESSURE TgE.CAUSE OF CORN. It is not, therefore, vertical pressure which is the cause of corn, but lateral pressure, although when lateral pressunM which is only another name for contraction, exists, and the free movements of the bone are impeded, morbid conditions may be set up between the bone and the sole that would contribute its quota to the general and particular causes of lameness of the animal suffering from such an interference with the free movements of his locomotive apparatus. The lateral pressure theory, however, explains it all, and the effect of removing lateral pressure knocks the vertical pressure theory and Mr. Gamgee's no-contraction nonsense, both to- gether, at the same time, "higher than a kite." TREATMENT OF CORN. I dieem it sufficient proof of the correctness of the lateral ■ pressure theory that if we reverse the condition of contraction, ■ right opposite the angle of inflection, when corn is present ; in other words, if we cut out the inner side of the angle, namely, the bar, open the heel, and expand the quarter, lateral pressure is removed. Thus the cause of the condition termed corn being ■ removed the pain abates, and the visible evidences of m com entirely disappear after a second or third shoeing. This, then, is the rationale of the cure for corn whether it be on one or both sides of the foot. CONCOMITANTS OF CONTRACTION. The cessation of lameness will depend upon the extent to which the muscles of the limb have become involved in the atrophied condition. The attachment of the expanding shoe is the same as described in contraction, the difference being in the mode of preparing the foot. The objective point in the treatment of corn is to remove the angular, and restore the rounded form of the inflection. To do this effectively and promptly, the bar must be cut down upon, freely, and the dis4 / colored horn pared away until it is not prudent to proceed] ' • further without drawing blood. The wall must be leit flush to the shoe, so that when the latter is expanded, the former will go with it. Depending upon the mildness or severity of the affection, and as before stated, the extent of atrophy of the slioulder and other muscles of the limb will be the time necessary for the elimination of this source of suffering to the unfortunate vic- tim so many false theories. Usually one or two shoeings are sufficient, but occasionally an unusually bad case may require several shoeings, and stimu- lant applications to the shoulder, frequently repeated, before corn and its effects can be completely eradicated. NO BAR-SHOES NECESSARY FOR THE CURE OF CORN. No bar-shoe of any kind whatever is needed in this process of treatment, and the animal's services can be utilized generally after the first few days, exercise being beneficial to the repara- tive processes of the muscular tissues of the shoulder. SUPPURATING CORN. Sometimes called "Festered Corn" or "Bastard Quittor," is but an aggravated result of the same general causes that pro- duce the Dry Com. The immediate cause of the suppurating 118 condition is that of sand or gravel getting between the shoe and the sole, just over the seat of corn, and becoming imbedded there, working its way, aided by the weight and motions of the animal, upwards, until it effects an opening for itself upon some portion of the heel or quarter, not uiffrequently pene- trating through the coronary band. It then takes the name of Quittor. A Quittor from this cause has been called a "Bastard Quiitor," to distinguish it from Quittors arising from other causes. This form of C(?r« requires in addition to other raea' sures, a free opening below and above, but especially below, i that all purulent matter may escape downwards. NOTHING IN THE WORLD will facilitate the cure of lesions of this nature equal to expan- sion of the quarters affected. Read the Article on Quittor for directions to accomplish this. Some extra poulticing may be required to soften and cleanse all the parts involved. After expansion, two or three days are generally sufficient for this purpose. Then discontinue poulticing and apply a dressing of the Compound Tincture of Myrrh and Aloes, or the Com- pound Tar Ointment. See Appendix of Formulae. Redundant granulations, when present, may be repressed^ with a little Chlotide of Antimony applied with a feather, Occasionally, a leather sole, and but very rarely, a bar-shoe is . found necessary. The worst cases give me no concern what- ever, nor will they any one else, who knows the "how" and the "ivhy" of the process of direct dilation, as a remedial measure in such cases. ""^ TOE-CRACK AND QUARTER-CRACK. ETIOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY. The difference between these morbid conditions lies only in differing localities from which they are named. The quarter-crack h'as been so often referred to, in the eluci- dation of normal and abnormal conditions of the feet, that its m etiology and pathology would seem to require very little^ com- ment. There are some considerations, however, connected with these morbid conditions, that render a proper appreciation of these causes of much importance in the study of the various physiological and pathological questions associated with the foot of the horse. CONTRACTIONISTS AND NON-CONTRACTIONISTS. Simple as the causes of these lesions appears to be, the whole veterinary profession is divided into two hostile parties, contractionists and non-contractionists ; the latter adducing the quarter-crack, and some of the facts associated with its existence, as a positive and demonstrative proof of the truth of their non-contraction views. The former for want of a missing link in the construction of their argument, and unable to ignore the teachings 'of the " early fathers '' of veterinary science, be- lieve in the contraction of the foot, functionally and otherwise, without being able to explode the fallacy which gives coun- tenance to the opposite view. The non-expansion seems to have been a necessary accom- paniment of no-contraction doctrine, as the adoption of the latter has led to the extravagance of the former notion. SOLID PROOFS WANTED ; NOT FALLACIOUS ARGUMENTS. The no-contractionists declare contraction as a morbid con- dition, and functional contraction and expansion an " ignis fatuus ; " "a myth ; " "a coinage of the brain ; " "a chimera ;" " a phantom of the imagination ; " and so forth. And upon what ground do they thus dogmatize upon the questions of functional and phenomenal conditions of the foot, and stigmatize as visionaries the ablest writers, upon the foot of the horse, for the last three quarters of a century } What reasons do they advance, when they ask us to reverse conclu- sions that rest upon the basis of fact, of universal observation and experience? Simply "this and nothing more" having even the shadow of a reason, a faise interpretation of the ■ rationale of a quarter-crack! The no-contractionists draw 130 their conclusions from false premises believing them to be true. They have fallen into the very common error of reasoning from the particular to the general and mistaking exceptional and abnormal conditions for those of a natural and healthy stand- ard. Here is the argument as they present it : " The existence of a crack in the quarter is the invariable result of expansion ; then if the result of expansion, it cannot be caused by contrac- tion; therefore there is no such thing as contraction." This is the gist of the so-called argument against contraction in any sense as commonly understood. THE TRUE RATIONALE OF QUARTER-CRACK. In Stating what I consider to be the true etiology and path- ology of quarter-crack, I shall be at the same time exposing the illusive character of this argument. I regard the sequence of causes as follows : Weakening the sole generally has the effect of weakening the lateral support of tfie quarters, which facilitates their wiring in at the lower circumferent margin, posterior to the wings of the f, coffin-bone. This wiring in diminishes the area of frog-pressure j at the lower circumferent margin, ^bu^jnpr^a^^jt^jXJJj^ upper ' margin, from whence the quarter-crack invariably starts. This "wiring in," "falling in," or "contraction" of the quarters at this part, produces a gradual approximation and elevation of the margins of the great sole fissure, and therefore the whole of the frog tissues, sensitive and insensitive, become correspondingly elevated. The frog-tissues thus elevated creates a depressive force at the anterior portion of the sole, which results in preternatural expansion around the region of the toe and under certain favoring conditions the wall at the toe splits, and we have the condition called toe-crack. CENTRES OF ROTATION, OR MOTION. The view which dominates my own mind, and which I find it more easy to demonstrate upon the foot of the horse than to convey either in written or spoken language, has reference to 131 the correlative movements and "conditions of the various parts of the foot, whether they be normal or abnormal, active or passive. The whole body has a centre of motion, around which every part of the entire system is perpetually playing and balancing itself. Like the oscillation of a weighing beam, the elevation of one end is accompanied by the depression of the other. I extend this view to each limb, and to each section of a limb, during progressive movements, and finally I carry it into the comparatively passive conditions and relations of the various parts of the foot, whether functionally employed or otherwise. CORRELATIVE MOVEMENTS. Thus I regard the fore and hind, and the upper and lower parts of the foot, as having a counter-balancing and recipro- cating effect upon each other. Each and every part has its opposite. Whichever part is elevated, its opposite is depressed ; and whichever is expanded, its opposite, or correlative,' is con- tracted. In one respect, at least, there is a three-fold relation of this nature in the foot of the horse due to the peculiarities of its structure. For example, contraction at the lower margin of the posterior quarters, not only produces expansion ^t the margin of the quarters where the quarter-crack takes place, but causes expansion at the toe where toe-crack occurs. Thus the same cause that starts a crack in the hoof, on its upper border posteriorly, starts it on its lower border anteriorly, ^hat is to say, at the toe. RATIONALE OF TREATMENT. Conversely if you take a foot with a quarter or toe-crack, and expand the lower posterior quarters, the upper posterior quarters, will become contracted in its marginal outline, and the edges of the crack will approximate, and if kept expanded they will not separate, and the crack will disappear, not by the positive union of its edges, but by the process of growth from its respective segreting organs. This is equally true of I 122 the crack at the toe. Judicious mechanical expansion of the quarters will close a toe-crack, as well as a quarterrcrack, in the most effective manner, no fissure made by knife or firing- iron being necessary to prevent the extension of the crack. In this case " the cause being removed, the effect ceases." A SINE QUA NON. The application of the shoe in Quarter-crack is precisely the same as in Simple Contraction, but there is a difference in the preparation of the foot. The bar and posterior sole should be cut down upon freely, and the heel, on whichever side the crack exists, should be opened in order to allow the affected quarter to open out well under the pressure of the dilator. It is also a sine qua non that a nail should be got in posterior to the crack, and if the crack extends from the top to the bottom of the quarter, one nail-hole should be punched so as to admit of a nail passing through the wall transversely to the line of the fracture. AN EXPLODED FALLACY. The inner quarter is the most subject to fracture as it is always the thinnest and weakest portion of the whole wall, and therefore the first generally to contract upon its lower, and to yield to the lateral pressure upon its upper margin. Some attribute the extra liability of the inner quarter to fracture, to the fact that its position is nearer or more under the centre of gravity than the outer. The analysis of the causes I have given, leaves this hypothesis out in the cold. I have no use- for it in this place. It has done duty for a learned reason long enough, and has been relegated by me long since to the limbo of exploded fallacies. The causes can be fully demonstrated, and what is of still greater consequence, easily removed, with- out its, to me, questionable influence. I have some respect for the teachings of nature in anatom- ical construction, and for myself am satisfied that if nature had designed the inner quarter to sustain more weight than the outer, she would have made the inner quarter the stronger instead of the weaker of the two. The relative strength of the inner and outer quarters have an obvious relation to their capacities for resisting lateral, rather than those of sustaining wr/«V it is inferred that weakness or partial paralysis of these latter muscles, or any portion of them, would allow of that jerking action of the joint to go partially or wholly unan- tagonized, or unregulated. The peculiar jerk which indicates Stringhalt is involuntary in its character, and there is no evi- dence of pain to the animal or uneasy motion to the rider. It is not a lameness therefore which is a consequence of pain. Professor Spooner has known cases in which after a severe run with the hounds, the symptoms have been more severe for a time. In most cases Stringhalt comes on gradually, but it does sometimes make its appearance suddenly. DOES STRINGHALT CONSTITUTE UNSOUNDNESS? Undoubtedly, it is a disease, and therefore unsoundness. Is it due to an exalted action of nerve force, or to the opposite con- dition ? In other words, is it due to spasm or paralysis .' Mr. Spooner at one time believed it to be due to the former cause, but he now ascribes it to the latter. PROFESSOR SPOONER'S HYPOTHESIS. The following is the hypothesis upon which his later view is based. Muscular tissues possess a capacity for storing nerve- force. During rest these tissues accumulate this force which forms a reserve supply for extraordinary occasions of speed, etc. That muscular tissues are not immediately deprived of the power to act, even when the main supply is as it were cut off. This is considered proved by the muscular contractions which are observable after death, and also by the muscular 142 moveirieiits which caH be excited by galvanism soon after death. That it is a nerve-affection is admitted by all writers on the subject, but what part of the nervous system is the precise locale of the disease is a problem that yet remains to be solved. PERCIVAL'S OPINION is shown in the following quotation. " Those who suppose it to be a muscular affection, mistake, I conceive, the effect for the cause. I choose rather to refer its seat to the spinal mar- row, or to the nervous trunks passing between it and the affected muscle." Professor Spooner was not disposed to dogmatise upon a question upon which so little light could be thrown by anatomical investigation. Lesions of the medulla spinalis and of the larger branches of the nerves had frequently occurred when there was no evidence of Stringhalt, and a dissection of the worst cases of Stringhalt had revealed no evidence what- ever of a lesion of the nervous trunks or branches. MICROSCOPICAL RESEARCH had also failed to reveal any abnormality of structure. That the disease resulted from a functional disturbance of nerve-force, he thought there could be no doubt whatever. He had found on one occasion a spicula of bone pressing against a nerve in the spine; on another a small abscess pressing against the nerve. He had also found a thorn imbedded in the nerve of a subject of Stringhalt, but as he had found thorns so frequently in other than Stringhalt cases, he attached no importance what- ever to this latter circumstance. PROFESSOR SPOONER'S FINAL JUDGMENT of the matter was that the true explanation, if ever it could admit of verification would be that of a partial paralysis of the nerves of the gastrocnemii muscles. These muscles are so arranged that they antagonize or check any undue action each of the other, and thus produce easy and harmonious move- 143 ments. But a partial paralysis of the nerve-force of one mus- cle or set of muscles would permit of an irregular and exalted or spasmodic action on the part of its opposing or antagonistic muscle, or set of muscles. Now the antagonists of the exten- sor muscles are the gastrocnemii, and hence spasmodic irregu- lar nervous action of the extensors, aided by the PECULIAR PHYSIOLOGICAL ATTRIBUTE of the hock joint already explained, constitutes the affection known as Stringhalt. DR. BUSTEED'S BELIEF. I must not omit to allude to the view taken of the matter bV Dr. Busteed, of New York. ^ This observer locates the maladV in the astragalo-tibial articulation, where he has found appear- ances of an ulcerated condition. I do not think, however, th$ facts and observations upon which Dr. Busteed founds his hypothesis, sufficiently numerous, to characterise them as anyL thing more than suggestions as to a possible cause in som^ occasional instances. PROFESSOR SPOONER'S STRICTURES. Professor Spooner has stated in his lectures that the appar- ently abnormal condition observed by Dr. Busteed is by no/ means uncommon in horses which have shown no tendency] whatever to Stringhalt, or lameness of any kind whatever. His( explanation of the phenomenal appearance observed by Drj Busteed is, that arising from severe and protracted labor, ofr some other cause, there may be a deficiency of synovia in thA joint, which would induce attrition in the deep sulcus where ' this lesion is always found ; and that the articijlar cartilage which is worn away by this attrition being non-sensitive, no | inflammatory action ensues, as a rule, admitting possibly of some j exceptions. Besides this, inordinate pressure upon the parts/ deprived of articular cartilage, would produce molecular ab^ 144 sorption ; and finally finding this connection so frequently in horses, both with and without Stringhalt, or even a noticeable lameness of any kind whatever, he negatives DR. BUSTEED'S CLAIM AS A DISCOVERER I of the true cause or causes of Stringhalt. The seven isolated cases, which took twenty-three years to observe and record, even in the absence of other explanatory facts, certainly would not afford sufficient grounds for such a claim. EXPERIMENTAL FACTS. The mite of observation which I wish to contribute to the etiology of Stringhalt may be gleaned from the following ob- servations : In the course of practice, when operating for the removal of lameness in the fore feet, I have occasionally had a case that was the subject of Stringhalt. Whenever I have had such a case, I have experimented by softening and expanding the foot of the affected limb ; and I have never so experimented without perceiving some benefit from the operation. From these experiments I have been led to think it possible that one of the causes of Stringhalt at least may have its origin in MECHANICAL PRESSURE upou the ncrvcs of the foot, excited, either by the entire hoof, or by some particular portion of it. A CURIOUS COINCIDENCE. If anything more than a very slight injury be inflicted upon the tendon of the Extensor Pedis, particularly at the point where it is inserted into the superior process of the os pe^js, by the tread of a sharp calk or by any other accident, the suf- fering is more severe than when it is inflicted elsewhere upon the tendon, because of the inflaihmation causing an outward pressure against the superior margin of the wall of the hoof, and because the movements of progression seriously aggravates the lesion. If any doubt should exist as to the precise locale of the hurt, the peculiar manner in which the animal lifts its foot 145 and places it again upon the ground in walking indicates un- mistakably the precise seat of the trouble. This peculiar man- ner always reminds ine of Stringhalt, it is so very similar to the peculiar jerk in the latter complaint. I have in former years had much trouble with such cases, and have known some to become absolutely incurable. Pressure from contraction of the hoof can be excited around its superior circumferent margin upon this very same tendon of the extensor pedis of the hind leg. Too much growth of horn at the toe from keeping the shoes on too long would also produce pressure against the Extensor tendon, and pinch or press it against the Superior process of the pedal bone just at the point of its insertion into that bone. I have been called to examine cases of inscrutable lameness where half a dozen veterinary surgeons had located the source of the lameness in as many different places, but when I had located the possible source of the lameness in the instep, at the very part I have indicated, and after lowering and shortening the toe, elevating the heel, and softening and expanding the hoof, the lameness has all disappeared in two or three days. Swinging around the circle, as I have done, I have lost the run of my Stringhalt cases, and, therefore, I cannot say if after the lapse of time any of them were permanently benefitted or were susceptible of absolute cure. Here is a case probably, like some others, that falsify the notion, that when causes are re- moved the effects will cease. Habit, we all know, becomes a second nature, and I deem it likely that the habit of jerking up the leg in action has become of too fixed a nature to be entirely removed even after the original active cause has ceased to operate. THE WRITER'S SUGGESTION. Adopting this view, it is easy to conceive that, supposing pressure upon the nerve-filaments of the foot to have produced Stringhalt, and after it had existed for years, when that pres- sure has been removed, that habit has much to do with the continuance of the irregular action ; in this manner I regard 146 the condition termed knuckling. I can readily remove the cause, but I cannot so soon dispose of its effects. The liga- ments of the fetlock joint have become elongated and adapted to the requirements of the habit, and an absolute cure on account of this habit is tedious and difficult. Even so, I think, the ligaments of the hock-joint and the tendons of the muscles engaged in the Stringhalt movements, have become adapted by gradual and persistent abnormal' tension to the perverted action of the muscles. Certainly, there is nothing in this view of the possible cause of Stringhalt to conflict with the views of Professors Spooner, Percival, and others who considered it a disease of the nervous system, but who probably never extended their inquiries beyond the leading, trunks and branches, not suspecting that it may have been caused by irritation of the peripheral nerve-fibrillse in the remote region of the foot.' This ' view, I think, may derive some countenance from the fact that tetanus is also a disease of the nervous system, and that the most frequent cause of this complaint is in connection with injuries to the feet. See the Article on Tetanus. SUMMARIZED STATEMENT OF THE AUTHOR'S THEORY. SUMMARY OF CHANGES. In this summary of changes that take place in the form and functions of the footof the horse may be perceived the condi- tions out of which not only Laminitis, and Navicular Disease, but every other specific lesion of the foot may arise. INCIPIENT CONTRACTION ' produces impaired action, by undue lateral pressure of the! wings of the coffin-bone, impairment of natural action being in I proportion to the intensity of pressure. ADVANCED CONTRACTION causes undue pressure upon the lateral cartilages besides the pressure on the wings of the coffin-bone. The rotary and other movements of the foot within the hoof are thus impeded ; attrition first, and subsequently, inflammatory action in the tissues, eventually leading to OSSIFICATION OF THE LATERAL CARTILAGES. LAMINITIS both chronic and recent, is the necessary sequent of an unsup- ported sole, by causing abnormal straining and morbid elon- gation of the laminae. These causes gradually weaken the laminal attachments, and very frequently lead to their discon- nection in what is commonly called Founder, and descent of the coffin-bone, producing the condition termed DROP-SOLE OR PUMICED FOOT. 148 NAVICULAR DISEASE a. . . both chronic and recent, is the product of contraction, which is associated with an ascended frog and wired in quarters. The result is a loss of substance and functions in the frog-tissues, and concussion to the bony constituents of the foot, whereby other specific lesions of the tissues composing the joint are directly or indirectly produced. RINGBONE jy-' is also the result of concussion, occasioned by the diminution or destruction of the elastic properties of the foot, induced in the first instance by contracted quarters, and a predisposing conformation of the pastern joint. i-v— 4^*— CORNS »vv— 4-*— -^ are the products of lateral pressure, which gradually converts the naturally rounded miction at the junction of bar and wall into an angular one ; the vascular and nerve-filaments becom- ing crushed between the sides of the angles near its point ; pressure on the nerves producing the pain and lameness ; and the rupture of the vessels causing extravasation of their con- tents into the horny sole at this spot. QUARTER-CRACK is in variably the result of that inverted order of things, whereby the quarters are contracted, which prevents their due expan- sion, when weight is thrown upon the foot in motion ; and are expanded where they ought rather to contract ; and hence the hoof splits from internal lateral pressure exerted in the wrong place. TOE-CRACK is caused by the tendency of the toe to expand, when and where it ought not to, in consequence of its reciprocal rela- tions to the heels and quarters. 149 FALSE-QUARTER, SHELLY FOOT, SEEDY-TOE, SCRATCHES, THRUSH OF THE FROG, AND CANKER OF THE SOLE. These morbid conditions of the foot of the horse, are the products of perverted, or vitiated secretions, arising from par- tial or total suspension of the secreting organs ; the general cause of which being an unduly contracted hoof, and the par- ticular and proximate cause, direct pressure upon the organ or organs more immediately involved. GENERAL ATROPHY OF THE FOOT is the result of the same general cause, acting more equally ' over the whole of the foot, namely, morbid contraction, inter- fering with the vital processes of development, of nutrition, or of both. ALL ACCIDENTAL AFFECTIONS OF THE FEET, SUCH AS TREADS, BRUISES, INJURIES FROM CALKING, QUITTORS, SUPPURATING CORNS, PICKING UP NAILS IN THE STREET, INJURIES FROM PRICKING, STABBING, CROWDING, ETC., IN SHOEING are aU greatly aggravated and intensified by a morbidly con- tracted condition of the horny structures, which is proved by the fact, that softening and expanding those structures facil- itates the healing process in all of them in a most remarkable degree. CERTAIN CONSTITUTIONAL COMPLAINTS, AS TETANUS, PNEUMONIA, PLEURISY, GASTRITIS, ENTERITIS, GASTRO-ENTERITIS, AND SKIN AFFECTIONS. are known to have most important sympathetic and other re- lations with the internal tissues of the foot. Again, light has been thrown on these relations by the process of mechanical dilation of the quarter, showing, that in a morbid contraction of the horny textures lies the germ of many unsuspected mal- adies of the horse. 160 SWKENY, OR ATROPHY OF THE MUSCLES OF THE SHOULDER, THE " CHEST AND THE ARM. is the almost necessary concomitant of an injury of any kind to the foot. But rarely'ig this condition due to any direct in- jury to the shoulder. The best proof of which is, that while the foot is affected, no measure of treatment will effectually remove the morbid conditions of the shoulder, etc., but as soon as the foot is easy, the muscles which govern its action gradually recover their tone and normal dimensions. CERTAIN ABNORMALTIES AND IRREGULARITIES OF ACTION, SUCH AS STUMBLING, POTTERING, DAISY-CUTTING, SHORT GAIT, BRUSH- ING, INTERFERING, SPEEDY-CUTTING, KNEE-STRIKING, HIGH- SPEEDY-CUTTING, DROPPING, SKIPPING, HITCHING, HOBBLING, BROKEN-GAIT, OVER-REACHING, GRABBING, CLICKING, FORGING, HAMMER-AND-PINCERING, STRINGHALT and the rest, can all be modified, and most of them completely changed to normal action, by simply softening and expanding the feet; proving beyond a peradventure, that morbid con- traction in some degree or form, is a cause, if not the cause of these abnormalties and irregularities of action. CONCLUSION. Such a theory, and such a treatise as this book presents, Professor Gamgee declared, ten years ago, had not then i appeared " in either the earlier or later times." The Theory, as I have placed it before the reader, is the necessary sequence of the practical measures that accompany it. It is the result of a large number of operations upon every description of foot, and every variety of the foot-affections of horses. It is based upon no isolated cases, but an accumu- lation of facts ; facts of practice, experience, and demonstration. There is nothing far-fetched, or unreasonably conjectural about this theory. It meets every requirement. It is sirnple, intelligible, and demonstrable. It is in harmony with the facts of practice, and each is the complement of the other. What more is needed .' I found the practical measure a rough-and-ready one of very limited application, and it has revealed pathologicol secrets to my apprehension, which, as far as I am aware, have been vouchsafed to no other. I now regard it as the key to a science> the true nature of which, when it becomes sufficiently under- stood, and generally applied, will constitute a boon of no mean order to the equine race itself, and will, I verily believe, en- hance in an eminent degree, the value of its services in the general interests of mankind. APPENDIX OF FORMUL/^. POULTICES AND POULTICES BOOTS. Equally important as mechanical dilation, is the process of softening the horny textures of the foot when they are hard and unyielding. To soften effectually the author recommends before all other means and appliances, the use of the LEATHER POULTICE BOOT. The best softening agent is flax-seed meal, wrought to the proper consistence by boiling, or hot water, in which a little soap, or lye, or washing soda has been dissolved. Success or failure almost exclusively depends upon the attention given to the softening process. An occasional bad case of Quittor, Canker, Thrush, Scratches and other diseased conditions where there is much fcetor and offensive discharges, may require the use of an ANTISEPTIC POULTICE. To the common poultice may be added any one of the fol- lowing Antiseptic agents : 1. Solution of Chloride of Zinc, i drm. to J/^ pint water. 2. • " Carbolic Acid, i oz. to J^ pint water. 3. " Corrosive Sublimate, i drm. to i pint of hot water. 4. Chloride of Lime, in powder, 2 or 3 oz. 5. Charcoal, in powder, 2 or 3 oz. 6. Yeast, J^ pint. Sometimes there is much pain and inflammation of the soft tissues of the foot and of the tendons and ligaments of the leg 153 in connection with it. In severe cases of this nature, it may be desirable to apply to the foot or leg, or to both, a NARCOXr® AND ANODYNE POULTICE. To the common poultice may be added any one of the fol- lowing ingredients, or even any combination of them : 7. Tincture of Arnica, 2 or 3 oz. 8. " Aconite Root, 2 or 3 oz. 9- " Wormwood, 2 or 3 oz. 10. " Camphor, 2 or 3 oz. n. , " Opium, 2 or 3 oz. 12. Extract of Belladonna, i oz., dissolved in warm water. 13. " Hyoscyamus, i oz. 14. Boiled Hops make a cheap and excellent anodyne agent in a poultice, as also 15. A decoction of Wormwood. FOMENTATIONS. When fomentations appear desirable, as in acute sprains of tendons and ligaments, from Nos. 7 to 13, either singly, or a combination of them in about equal proportions, added to an equal or double quantity of hot water, may be used with the very best effects. A rest for the foot in the form of a high heeled shoe is a most important requirement in these cases ; and if there is much swelling and inflammation around the re- gion of the coronary ligament, an expanding .shoe should be placed on the foot, and the hoof slightly expanded. The soothing and discutient effects of moderately hot water are nof to be overlooked. Nos. 14 and 15 are both powerfully sooth- ing and anodyne in their effects upon painfully inflamed tissues. 154 LOTIONS. l6. MERCURIUS CORROSIVUS LOTION. Corosive sublimate, i drachm, Hot water, i pint. Useful in the reduction of ring-bones, bone-spavins, splents, side-bones, thickened tendons, etc. For these purposes it should be applied with friction of the hand for a day or two, morning and evening, or until soreness is produced ; when its application should be discontinued, 'the parts oiled, and washed with soap and water daily until the soreness is removed, when the process should be repeated until the object is att9,ined. I have found this the most useful of all antiseptic and stim- ulant lotions in Quittors and other ulcerous affections of the foot, such as Grease, Thrush, Canker, etc. 17. CHLORIDE OF ZINC LOTION. Chloride of Zinc, y^. ounce, Water, i pint. A very useful antiseptic stimulant in Quittors, and other ulcerous affections. 18. ARNICA LOTION. Tincture of Arnica, 2 ounces. Water, i pint. Good in all kinds of injuries from sprains, bruises, contu- sions, pricks from nails, blows, fractures, dislocations, etc. The undiluted tincture may be applied with advantage after cutting down upon Corns of a severely painful nature. 19. ARNICA AND ACONITE LOTION. Tincture of Arnica, i ounce. Tincture of Aconite Root, i ounce. Water, i pint. 155 Good in the same category of complaints as the last. I pre- fer to use it moderately hot in very painful and acute cases, keeping the affected parts constantly wet by means of a linen bandage, and giving support to the limb by means of a high- heeled shoe, at the same time carefully expanding the quarters where the soft-tissues are highly inflamed and create an evident pressure against the horny textures of the foot. 20. RHUS TOXICODENDRON LOTION. Tincture of Rhus Tox., i ounce, Water, i pint. I have known this to remove sore and weak ankles when other applications have failed. After the feet have been expanded, this lotion facilitates the removal of soreness and old rheumatic symptoms from the joints, the best of any, in conjunction with the frequent appli- cation of hot water. 21. GOULARD LOTION. Goulard's Extract, 2 drachms, Water, i pint. Spirits of Wine, 2 ounces. This is an excellent cooling and soothing application where the tissues have become inflamed by severe labor, or from the effects of stimulating applications when injudiciously employed. Keep the parts constantly moist with it by means of a linen bandage. 22. NITRATE OF LEAD LOTION. \ Nitrate of Lead, i drachm, Distilled water, i pint. Deodorizing and Cooling in Greasy ulcerous sores. 156 23- ACETATE OF ZINC LOTION. Acetate of Lead, i ounce, Sulphate of Zinc, i ounce, Water, i pint. A favorite formula with some, for the cure of Scratches, and for its cooling and repellant properties in general. LINIMENTS AND EMBROCATIONS. Applications of the above nature are sometimes more con- venient to use than fomentations, and are preferred by many to lotions. They are especially useful in sprains and bruises, and in cases of rheumatism and enlargement of the pastern or knee joints. They will be found as useful in the human as in the equine patient. 24. CHLOROFORM LINIMENT. Chloroform, i Tincture of Camphor, I _ " « Opium, r ^^ ^^'^^ ^ °^- Olive Oil or Glycerine, J 25. CAMPHOR LINIMENT. Camphor, i ounce, Spirits of Wine, 4 ounces. Glycerine, 4 ounces. 26. CAMPHOR AND FUSEL OIL LINIMENT. Spirits of Camphor, 2 ounces. Fusel Oil, 2 ounces, Water of Ammonia, 2 ounces. Tincture of Opium, i ounce. Tincture of Aconite, i ounce. 157 27. CAMPHOR ANiD CANTHARIDES LtNIMENT. Camphorated Oil, 4 ounces, Tincture of Cantharides, 2 ounces, Oil of Turpentine, 2 ounces, Acetic Acid, i ounce. 28. CAJEPUT EMBROCATION. Oil of Cajeput, 2 ounces, Camphor, i ounce, Almond Soap, 2 ounces, Alcohol, I pint. Dissolve the soap and camphor in the alcohol first, in a warm bath when nearly cold, add the cajeput oil, shaking the mix- ture well together until quite cold. This is especially good in deep-seated rheumatism and lumbago. LINIMENTS AND SALVES. For wounds, faruncles, treads, calks, grease, cracks, ulcers, etc., in the region of the foot. 2g. CARBOLIC AClD LINIMENT. Carbolic Acid, i part, Glycerine, i part, Olive or Lard Oil, 4 parts. — Mix. 30. CARBOLIC ACID SALVE. Carbolic Acid, i ounce, Lard, 8 ounces, ^ Add a little wax in warm weather. A crystal of magenta will give color. 158 31. LEAD AND SINC SALVE. Acetate of Lead, % ounce, Oxide of Zinc, }i ounce, Lard, 4 ounces. — Mix. 32. ALUM AND ZINC SALVE. Alum, I part, Carbonate of Zinc, 3 parts. Lard, 4 parts. — Mix. 33. ALUM AND SULPHUR SALVE. Powdered Alum, i part. Sulphur, 2 parts, Lard, 3 parts. 34. LINIMENTS FOR CANKER AND THRUSH. Pine Tar, 4 ounces. Molasses, 2 ounces. Sulphuric or Nitric Acid, % ounce. 35. Subacetate of Copper, 4 ounces. Honey, % pound. Spirits of Wine, 2 ounces. Nitric Acid, 2 ounces. Melt the two first ingredients over a slow fire, and when cooling add the two last. Apply by means of pledgets of tow or cotton, dipped in either mixture, and procure genial pressure upon the sole, by means of careful packing, a stout leather sole, and a high- heeled shoe somewhat " drawn on " to the foot by judicious nailing. ' 15£f POWDERS FOR SCRATCHES, CANKER AND THRUSH. They should all be reduced to the finest powder, and thor- oughly mixed and sifted through a very fine sieve, before application. These powders are also good for wounds gener- ally, and especially in joint wounds, where there is an escape of synovia, it is desirable to coagulate. 36. Carbonate of Zinc, 4 parts, Alum, 1 part. 37. Alum, 4 parts, Armenian bole, i part. 38. Burnt Alum, Dried Sulphate of Iron, Myrrh. — Equal parts. 39. Sulphate of Zinc, 2 ounces, Oxide of Zinc, i ounce. 40. Alum, I drachm, Charcoal, y^ ounce. 41. Burnt Alum, Sulphate of Zinc, Armenian bole White lead, Yellow Resin, > Charcoali — Of each 2 oynces. 160 POWDERS FOR CLEANING FOUL ULCERS, AND REPRESSING REDUNDANT GRANULATIONS IF THE FOREGOING ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY POWERFUL. • 42. Acetate of Copper, Acetate of Lead. — Equal parts. 43. Sulphate of Zinc, Alum. — Equal parts. 44. Red Precipitate, Burnt Alum. — Equal parts. 45. Red Precipitate, Verdigris, Calamine. — Equal parts. 46. Powdered Quick Lime. ■ QUITTOR DRESSINGS. These should be injected into the sinuses when practicable. On no account rasp or cut away the quarter of the wall affected, but carefully expand it, and cause the affected parts to be , thoroughly permeated with the dressing by applying to them pledgets of tow or cotton saturated with the medicinal agent. 47. Bi-chloride of Mercury, i drachm. Water, nearly boiling, i pint. Dissolve in any vessel but a metal one. 48. Chloride of Zinc, i drachm, Water, i pint. 49. Sulphate of Zinc, 2 drachms. Water, i pint. 161 50. Bi-chloride of Mercury, J^ ounce, Hydrochloric Acid, y^ ounce, Liq. Plumbi Diacetatis, i y^ drachm, Spirits of Wine, i ounce. 51. Sulphuric Ether, i part, Iodine, 6 parts. 52. Corrosive Sublimate, y^ ounce, Diacetate of Lead, i ounce. Rectified Spirits of Wine, 4 ounces. BLISTERING APPLICATIONS. For Splents, Spavins, Ringbones, Side-bones, or Bony En- largements, Thickening of the Tendons, and the Skin, etc. 53. Corrosive Sublimate, i drachm, Boiling water, i pint. Prepare and use as before directed. 54. Iodine, i drachm. Strong Alcohol, i ounce. Paint over the enlargement with a small brush every two or three days as long as necessary. 55. Biniodide of Mercury, i part. Lard, 7 parts. The size of a hazel nut to be rubbed on daily. When tender or Scurf is produced, wash the part, and re-apply the Ointment as often as it is found necessary. 56. Corrosive Sublimate, i drachm. Tincture of Iodine, i ounce, . Oil of Turpentine, i ounce, Finely powdered Cantharides, J^ ounce. Finely powdered Euphorbium, y^ ounce, Hog's lard, J^ pound. 162 Remove the hair with scissors. Apply with friction. The second day apply oil or lard. The fourth day wash off the scurf and repeat the process until the purpose is effected. BLISTKRING APPLICATIONS FOR THE CORONET. Should such, however, be deemed necessary, no better can be found than No. 56. The effects of this blistering compound are not severe, but its potency may be lessened to any desired extent by the addi- tion thereto of hog's lard. No. 56 is a peculiarly valuable preparation, from the fact that the horse will not bite or gnaw the parts to which it is applied. It is also a useful external stimulant to the muscles of the shoulder, breast and arm, in the condition termed Sweeny. HOOF DRESSINGS. THEIR USE AND ABUSE. The writer's views are opposed to the indiscriminate and constant use of Hoof-dressings of whatever character or class upon feet that are perfectly sound, properly shod at regular and proper intervals of time, and otherwise well cared for by being kept clean, dry and cool, while standing in the stable. Greasy, unctuous applications to such feet that obstruct the perspiratory exhalations are, to him, an especial abomination. A small roll of damp cloth, lying loosely around the fetlock, and resting on the skin just over the coronary ligament, will do more to keep the horny wall cool and sufficiently moist than anything whatever that may be applied to the external surface of the wall. ^ Under morbid conditions, when it becomes necessary to pro- mote the growth of the wall, stimulating applications should be applied to the secreting organs, rather than the secreted struc- tures. Any mild stimulant dressing applied around the cor- 163 onet about every other day, or as often as it can be done with- out blistering the skin, is sufficient to promote the growth of the wall, always provided, the coronary secreting ligament has plenty of room for the due exercise of its functions. This is essential to the growth of perfectly sound horny substance. The sole and the frog structures are secreted differently from that of the wall. The same conditions of plenty of room for development and the free exercise of functions are just as essential in the former, as in the latter structures. When the full natural dimensions of the outer wall has been obtained by judicious expansion, then, and not till then will the sole and frog become developed, and this they will rapidly do under the influence of their own natural stimulus, namely, exercise; which may be aided by an occasional mild stimulant, dressing or stopping applied to the sole and frog. Only under a morbid condition of the foot and the plea of ignorance of anything better that can be done can the con- tinued use of Hoof dressings and the water and mud baths be justified. HOOF DRESSINGS. STIMULANT DRESSINGS FOR THE CORONARY LIGAMENTS. 57. Strong Water of Ammonia, i part, Sweet Oil, 4 parts. 58. Cod Liver Oil, Kerosene Oil.— Equal parts. 59. Turpentine, Camphor, Sweet Oil. — Equal parts. 164 SOFTENING AND STIMULANT STOPPINGS FOR THE SOLE AND FROG. 60. Soft Soap, 4 ounces, Pine Tar, i pound, Flax Seed Meal, 2 pounds. 61. Common Axle Grease, i pound, Pine Tar, i pound, Flax Seed Meal, z pounds. 62. Pine Tar, i pound. Tallow, I pound. Flax Seed Meal, 2 pounds. To be worked into a stifif paste, and applied only to the sole and frog after thoroughly cleansing and drying the foot. HOOF OINTMENTS OR SALVES. After long continued poulticing, it may be necessary to dis- continue its use. Every part of the hoof, and an inch or two above it, may then be anointed occasionally with any of the following preparations, for the purpose of keeping up the emollient effects already attained : THE THREE T OINTMENT. I 63. Tar, Tallow, Turpentine. — Equal parts. THE T. H. T. OINTMENT. 64. Tar, Honey, Tallow.— Equal parts. 165 • spooner's hoof ointment, ' 65. Tar, I pound, Palm Oil, Yz pound. Oil of Turpentine, i ounce, Sulphuric Acid, i ounce. Melt the two first ; when cooling add the two last. bourgelat's hoof ointment. 66. .Yellow Wax, Olive Oil, Lard, Veal Suet, Honey, Turpentine. — Equal parts. Colored with ivory black. FLESH AND HOOF OINTMENT. 67. Resin, 4 ounces. Wax, 4 ounces, Honey, 4 ounces, Lard, 8 ounces, Turpentine, 12 ounces. Melt together the four first ; when cooling add the last and stir till cold. FLESH AND HOOF SALVE. 68. Resin, 2 pounds, Linseed Oil, i pint, Coal Oil, I pint. Balsam of Fir, 4 ounces. Spirits of Turpentine, 2 ounces, Glycerine, 2 ounces, Carbolic Acid, 2 ounces. Dissolve all the ingredients together very carefully. CONSTITUTIONAL TREATMENT. Severe injuries to the Feet of Horses are sometimes attended by a disturbance of the system variously designated as Sys- temic Fever, Irritative Fever, Sympathetic Fever, Traumatic Fever, Acute Inflammatory Fever, etc. The pulse runs high, the respirations are rapid, the breath and tongue hot, the skin hot and cold by turns, the urine high-colored and scanty, the bowels constipated, and the appetite impaired. These are the prin- cipal phenomena to be observed in this class of Fevers, and, of course, the intensity of the symptoms will accord with the sever- ity of the disturbing causes. These sympathetic manifestations constitute an index to the more or less serious character of the injury. As the wound improves these symptoms subside. In all foot-wounds, as well as those of the knee and the ischium, the vigilance of the experienced veterinarian keeps him constantly on the alert for the possible supervention of Tetanus or Lock-jaw. Some discrimination is needed in the treatment 6f the con- stitutional symptoms already referred to. If the systemiic dis- turbance be slight the case may be left to nature. If at all pronounced, internal remedies become requisite. Such cases divide themselves into two classes, sthenic and asthenic ; the first denoting strength, the last, the lack of it. Cases of the first class are those in which the patient may have been in robust health before the infliction of the injury. He might have been in good or even high condition ; or the system may have been gross from over feeding, or there may have been but a slight loss of blood from the injury, and the pulse, it may be, has increased in frequency to 70, 80 or 90 per minute, with a 167 full, strong and firm beat. Such cases call for depletive mea- sures. In other words a purgative or laxative dose of aloes, and an occasional dose of the chlorate or nitrate of potash will be both desirable and necessary. Cases of the second class in which the animal has lost much blood, and the pulse is quick, thin and thready, and there is prostration and trembling, and the vital powers feeble, require an opposite course of treatment ; repletive rather than deple- tive measures should be resorted to. The use of stimulants, such as Brandy, Wine, Beer, Aroma- tic Amnionia, &c., which arouse rather than depress the vital powers, are then indicated. If the animal is very weak, they are best given in gruel, if otherwise, diluted with water. If constipation is present, it should be overcome by frequent enemata of warm soapy water. In both classes of cases when there is much pain, sedatives may be given with propriety, such as Aconite, Arnica, Bella- donna, Hyoscyamus, Rhus Tox., and Opium. It has been a favorite practice with me to administer the same kind of medicine internally as that I have been using externally. Doses. The doses of the medicines alluded to in the foregoing brief notice, are as follow : 1. Aloes in Solution. — Barbadoes Aloes 3, 4, 5 or 6 drachms in powder, according to size, age, and requirements of the patient. Place in a pint bottle, and add thereto half- pint of warm water in which a little Washing Soda or Saler- atus has been dissolved. Shake up well, and administer. 2. Aloes in Ball. — Barbadoes aloes, same as before, but made into a very stiff paste with a little common soap. 168 3- Nux Vomica. — After the action of the aloes has sub- sided the bowels may be kept tolerably regular by Powdered Nux Vomica half-drachm, morning and evening, given in a little water, or on the feed. 4. Chlorate of Potash. — One or two drachms morning and evening may be given on the feed, or in the drinking water, or the animal may be dosed with it dissolved in a few ounces of water. 5. Nitrate of Potash. — Same as the last. 6. Aromatic Ammonia. — The best stimulant when pro- curable, 4 to 6 drachms in a pint of cold water, twice daily. 7. Brandy in 2 or 3 ounce doses, suitably diluted with water. 8. Wine. — Same as the last. 9. Ale and Beer may be obtainable when other stimu- lants are not. These may be given in pint doses, without dilu- tion. The addition of a little powdered Ginger or Cayenne Pepper, or both, would be an improvement. 10. Aconite. — Tincture of Aconite Root, 5 or 10 drops, either placed on the tongue or given in water or gruel, should be given at intervals suitable to the requirements of the case. This agent must be discontinued as soon as any glucking noise is heard in the throat. 11. Arnica. — Give the Tincture in one drachm doses, 2 or 3 times a day in 2 ounces of water. 12. Belladonna is a favorite sedative with rhe in the fol- lowing formula : 169 Strong Solution of Acetate of Ammonia, i oz., Nitric Ether, - - - - - i}i oz.. Tincture of Belladonna, - - 2 drms., Cold Water, i^ pint. Morning and evening till the violent symptoms abate. 13. Hyoscyamus. — The same quantity of the tincture may be substituted for the Belladonna in the last formula. Is a favorite recipe with some. 14. — Rhus Tox. — This is an internal homeopathic remedy of great value in wounds of the tendons, ligaments, and liga- mentous structures. Rheumatic symptoms usually yield to this agent when properly used and understood. 10 drops of the Mother Tincture may be given in i or 2 ounces of water 3 or 4 times a day with the best effects. 15. Tincture of Opium. — This old-time remedy must not be over-looked. It has rendered good service to mankind, and I use it occasionally with the best results, as follows : ^ Tincture of Opium, - I oz., Nitric Ether, - - I oz., Cold Water - - 4 oz. M GLOSSARY. Abdomen. The belly. Abdominal. Belonging to the belly. Abnormal. Contrary to the natural condition. Absorbent. Sucking up or absorbing. Absorption. Sucking up. Abyss. Depth. Accessory. Muscles that assist the action of larger ones. Acclivity. A slope or ascent upwards. Action. A faculty or function of the body. Acumen. Quickness of perception. Ad infinitum. To infinity. Adjunctive. Assisting other remedies. Adult. Arrived at maturity. ^gis. A shield. Affection. Synonomous with disease. Agglutination. A glueing or joining together. Aggregate. The sum, or whole of several particulars. Ala. A wing. Applied to pavts from their resemblance to wings. Amateur. A lover. Anosm,ia. Deficiency of blood. Analagous. Applied to things different in their nature, but similar in func- tion. Anatomy. The dissection of organized bodies. Animal-economy. All matters relating to animal life. Anodyne. Medicines which assuage pain. Articular. Belonging to a joint. Articulation. A joint. Astragalus. The principal bone of the hock joint. Asttagalo-tibial. The articulation formed by the astragalus and tibia. Atrophy. Wasting, or emaciation. Defect of nutrition. Attrition. Rubbing against, and wearing by abrasion. Apex. The point or top of a thing. Artery. A vessel conveying blood from the heart. Archiform. Having the form of an arch. Areolar. Containing areolae or small spaces. Aponeurosis. Expansion of a tendon or tendons into a fibrous membrane Anastomosis. The communication of branches of vessels with each other. Albuminous. Having, or of the nature of albumen. Antiphlogistic. Treatment intended to subdue inflammation. Aeupuncture. Puncturing virith needles. Antiseptic. Preventing putrefaction. Analysis. The process of separating a compound substance into its con- stituents. B Brachial. Belonging to the arm. Bursa. A bag, or purse. ' Bursa Mucosa. A serous bag for secreting a substance {Synovia), to lubri. cate tendons and joints rendering their motion easy. Basement tnembrane. The undermost or fundamental membrane. Calcareous. Belonging to lime. Caliber. The diameter of a tube. The compass of mind. Capillary. Belonging to hair. Hair-like. Applied to a minute system of vessels Which connects the arteries and veins. Caries. An ulceration of bone. Carpus. The knee joint. Cartilage. Commonly called gristle. Centre of gravity. That point of a body, by which, if it were freely sus- pended, all the parts would be equally balanced. Centre of motion. The same. Centre of rotation. The same. Cervical. Belonging to the neck. Circulus Arteriosus. The artery which runs round the foot. Circumferent. The line including and surrounding a thing, and forming a circle. Chorion. A membrane involving the foetus. Chronic. Long-continued ; opposed to acute. Co-arotation. A straightening, or pressing together. Commissure. Applied to the fissures of the frog. Compression. Flattening in a lateral direction. 172 Concussion. A violent shaking. Conformation. The natural form of a part. , Congener. Belonging to the same kind or race. Congenital. From birth ; born with. Congestion. An unnatural accumulation of the usual contents of any ves- sels or ducts. Cohesive. Sticking together. Constitution. The general habit of the body. Contraction. The act of contracting, drawing together, or shrinking, the state of being contracted. Concavity. An internal rounded surface. Convex. Bent down on every side of a body. Connective tissue. Tissues that connect the different muscles, etc. Conical. Cone-shaped. Coronal. Resembling a crown. Coronary. Applied to a ligament that encircles a part like a crown. Corneous. Horny. Correlative. Having, or indicating a reciprocal relation. Cranial. Belonging to the cranium or skull. Cuboid. Resembling a cube. Cuticle. The epidermis, or scarf-skin. D Depletion. The use of means acting through the constitution in checking inflammation. Diametrically. Directly opposite. Diagnosis. The recognition of a disease by its symptoms. Diathesis. A particular state or disposition. Dilatation, An enlargement or expansion. Dilation. The same. Dilatator. Applied to instruments that enlarge or expand: Dilator. The same. Disease. Any departure from the state of health. Dislocation. Displacement of a bone of a movable articulation from its natural place. Disintegration. Breaking down of structures, or destruction of function. Dorsal. Pertaining to the back. E Economy. System. Emollient. Softening. Empirical. Belonging to an empiric or quack. Empiricism. Quackery. -173 Engorgement. A state of vascular congestion. Enteritis. Inflammation of the bowels. Epidermis. The external covering of the body. The cuticle. Equine. Relating to the horse. Etiology. The causes of disease. Expansibility. The capability of being expanded. Expansion. The increase of bulk or of surface, of which natural bodies afe susceptible. Extensor. An extender. , Extravasation. The effusion of a fluid out of its proper vessel or receptacle. Exfoliation. Shedding off' in flakes. Exostosis. Morbid growth of bone from bone. Excreta. Applied to matters voided from the animal system. Excito-motory. Exciting motion. A peculiar attribute of the spinal system of nerves. Epithelial. The cuticle covering a mucous membrane. Effluvia. Noisome exhalations perceived by the sense of smell. Extidation. The oozing of fluids through the vascular walls. Endosteum. The lining membrane of bones. Etymological. Relating to the derivation of a word Equilibrium. Equality of vpeight. Exhalents. Vessels that exhale or send out vapors. E Facilis decensus avemus. The road to evil is easy. Fascia. A tendinous expansion. Fibre. A minute thread or filament. Fibrillce. Extremely fine threads only seen through the microscope. Fibrin. Coagulable lymph. Fibiinous. Having or partaking of fibrin. Fibro-cellular. Both fibrous and cellular. Fibro-elastic. Both fibrous and elastic. Filament. A delicate thread-like substance. Fissure. A deep depression. Follicles. Little bags. Foramen. A hole or opening. Foramina. Plural of foramen. Fragilitas. Ossium. Brittleness of bones. Frustum of a cone. A cone with its apex cut off. Fulcrum. A stay, or prop. Function. A power or faculty by the exercise of which the vital phenomena are produced. Functional disease. Where the function of an organ is vitiated, but ita structure remains natural. 174 Gastric. Belonging to the stomach. Gastritis. Inflammation of the stomach. Gastro-intestinal. Belonging to the stomach and intestines. Gland. An organ for secreting or separating some particular fluid from the blood. Globular. Of a round form like a globe. Glutinous. Gluey, adhesive. 9 H Hallucination. Mental error, or foolish imagination. Haversian Canals. Catials in bones first described by Haver. Hereditary. Transmissible from parents to offspring. Heterogeneous. Opposite by nature. Of different kinds. Hiatus. An opening. Hippedofathology. Pertaining to the diseases of horses' feet. Histology. The doctrine of the minute or ultimate structure and composi- tion of organized bodies. Homologue. The same organ in different animals. Homogeneous. Of the same kind, or quality throughout. Horizontal. On a level. Humeral. Relating to the arm. Hygiene. The science of health. Hypercemia. Excess of blood in a part. Hypertrophy. Excessive grovifth, thickening, or enlargement of an organ. Hypothesis. A supposition. ' Idiopathic. Arising spontaneously. Inflammation. A state of disease characterized by redness, swelling, heat and pain. Inflection. Bent, or curved inwards. Intermittent. Disappearing and returning again at intervals. Interosseous. Between bones. Interperiosteal. Between periosteal membra'nes. Intertransposition. Transposition between parts or organs. Intertransmutation. Changes between parts or organs. Ipse Dixit. Dogmatic assertion. Lamella. A thin plate of some substance. Lamella. Plural of lamella. Lamellar. Having thin plates. 175 Lamellated. The same. Lamina. A thin plate, a layer of some substance. Lamince. Plural of lamina. Laminal. Consisting of thin layers. Laminated. The same. Laminitis. Inflammation of the laminas. Lateral. On, or near the side. Lesion. Injui-y, hurt, or wound. Ligament. A gristly substance which unites bones at their extremities. Ligamentous. Of, or belonging to a ligament. Locomotive. Changing place. Lymph. The contents of lymphatic vessels. A product of inflammation. Lymphatics. Absorbents or vessels containing lymph. M Malformation. Deviation from the natural form of an organ. Matrix. A place where anything is generated or formed. Membrane. An expanded substance for the purpose of enclosing parts or organs. Medullary. Pertaining to marrow. Metacarpal. Beyond the knee-joint. Metastasis. Change of disease from one part to another. Metastastic. Relating to metastasis. Modus operandi. Mode of operation. Molecule. The smallest part of matter conceivable. Molecular. Consisting of molecules. Mollities Ossium. Undue softening of bone. Morbid. Diseased. Motory. Giving motion. Mucus. The fluid secreted by mucous membranes. Mucous membrane. The surface of the nostrils, mouth, windpipe, stomach and bowels. N Narcotic. Inducing sleep. Navicular. Having the appearance of a small boat. Naviculare, Os. The navicular bone. Necrosis. Ulceration of bone. Neuralgia. Pain in a nerve. Neurotomy. Division of a nerve. Nidus. A nest. Nomenclature. The proper arrangement and application of names. Nosology. Classification of diseases. 176 o Occult. Secret, hidden, unknown. Octogenarian. Eighty years old. Ocular, Known by the eye. Oleaginous. .Of an oily nature. Organ. Natural instrument. Organism. Organic structure. Os. A bone. Os. Naviculare. The navicular bone. Ossification. Conversion into bone. Osseous. Of a bony nature. P Palliative. Mitigating, not removing. Parasitic, Living at another's, expense. Paralysis. Loss, or diminution of the power of voluntary motion. Parieties, The walls, or sides of a cavity. Par excellence. By way of eminence. ^Papilla. Minute termination of a nerve. PapillcB. Plural of papilla. Papillated, Having papilla. Pathology. A consideration of the nature and effects of diseases. Pedal. Belonging to a foot. Pectoral, Belonging to the breast. Pendulous, Hanging, not supported below. Perichondium. A membrane covering a cartilage. Periosteum, Membraneous covering of a bone. Peripheral. Towards the circumference. Perspiratory, Causing, or pertaining to perspiration. Phenomenon. In pathology, a morbid condition. Phenomena. Plural of phenomenon. Physiology. The natural constitution of things. Pigment. Color. Plantar. Belonging to the sole of the foot. Plexus. A little net-work of vessels or nerves, or of both. Pneumonia. Inflammation of the lungs. Post mortem. After death. Precursor, Forerunner, harbinger. Predisposing, Rendering susceptible to any condition or disease. Primary. Original, first. Prognosis. Knowledge of a disease. Proximate cause. The immediate existing cause of a disease. Pulmonary. Belonging to the lungs. Pyramidal process. Process resembling a pyramid. 177 R Receptaculum Chyli. The expanded portion of the thoracic duct. Resilience. The act of springing or leaping back. Reticular. Like a net. Rationale. Explanation of causes. Sebaceous. Fatty glands that secrete fat. Secerning. Separating or dividing. Secretion. The same. Secretaries. Organs that secrete. Sentient. Susceptible to sensation. Sensory. Imparting sensation. Sequela. A consequence, or sequel. Serous. Having, or full of serum. Serum. The watery portion of the blood. Silicious, Having silicia in its composition. Sinus. A cavity, hollow, or depression. Sine qua non. A necessary condition. Solar. Relating to the sole of the foot. Solution of continuity. Division of the skin or other textures by a blow, a cutting instrument, or ulceration. Spinal. Belonging tp the back bone. Squamous. Scaly. Stellate. Pointed, or radiated, like the emblem of a star. Sthenic. Having strength, a robust condition of body. Stimulus. That which rouses or excites the energy of a part. Stricture. Term for contraction. Styptic. Having power to stop bleeding. Sub-acute. Less acute. Sub -cutaneous. Lying under the skin. Sub-structure, The under structure. Suffraginis os. The suffraginis bone. Large pastern bone. Sui generis. Of its own kind. Sulcus. A groove, furrow, or trench. Suppuration. A gathering of matter, festering. Sympathy. That intimate connection between one part of a body and the rest. Synovia. Commonly called joint-oil. 178 Tegument. In general, the skin. Tegumentary. Pertaining to the slcin. Temperament. Peculiar constitution of the body. Temperature. Seiisible heat. Tendon. The gristly termination of a muscle. Tendinous. Relating to a tendon, Tetanus. Lock-jaw. Textures. In anatomy, animal structures and substances. Theory. A. doctrine, scheme, or speculation. Therapeutics. The science of applied remedies for the cuie of diseases. Thoracie. Relating to the thorax. Thorax. The chest. Tissue. See textures. Tortuous. Twisted, winding. Tone. Healthy condition of muscles, etc. Tonics. Medicines which increase the tone of muscular fibre. Translucent. Penetrable to some extent by luminous rays. Traumatic. Belonging to a wound. Tumour. A morbid enlargement from whatever cause. Vaginal. Belonging to a sheath. Vasa vasorum. The very minute arteries and veins by which the substance of larger vessels is supplied with nourishment. Vascular. Having, or belonging to vessels. Venesection. Bleeding from a vein. Vermicular. Having the appearance of the progression of a worm. Vesicular. Belonging to, or having vesicles. Villus. Applied to small conical projections that secrete the various horn textures. Villi. Plural of villus. Viscera. The \ contents of the large cavities of the body, as the Ijeart, lungs, stomach and intestines, etc. Visceral. Relating to those organs. Visual. Exercising the power of sight. Vitiated. Perverted, injured, deteriorated. Vivisection. The cutting into living animals. SPECIAL NOTIFICATION. Dr. J. B. Coleman hereby notifies the owners of valuable horses throughout the American States that, upon invitation, he will proceed to any readily accessible locality within the States for the purpose of giving instructions in his methods of treating the various foot-diseases of the horse. His instructions in- clude demonstrations upon the feet of horses suffering from maladies that are usually deemed incurable, such as the sup- posed Navicular Disease, Laminitis, etc. Horses having tender feet, or are the subjects only of Contraction, Corns, and Quar- ter-Crack ; it will be shown by actual demonstration are readily and quickly curable. He will stay sufficiently long in one locality to thoroughly induct his pupils into the whole rationale of the causes and treatment of foot diseases, than which, fully understood, nothing can be more simple and rational ; more perfectly adapted to accomplish the ends in view, or more easily acquired ; and a correct knowledge of which is of im- measurable value to owners of first-class stock. A general knowledge of these principles and processes will save millions. worth of horse-stock from sacrifice or destruction; which means millions saved to individual and national gain. The author can save, and show others how to save, ninety- five per cent of all cases of so-called incurable diseases ; and cure rapidly, in a few weeks at most, the worst cases of Quarter- Crack, Corn, and Contraction. Such important information as this should no longer be kept secret. What would not some horse-owners give if their horses could be prevented from Interfering, Speedy-cutting, Knee-hitting, and other Irregular Actions, ^o as to dispense with boots and pads.' That this is readily effected, is as demonstrable as that one and one make two. The author enters into his work con amore, and strives 180 tO' make every one of his pupils as expert as himself, and more so, if possible. He feels confident that not one of his pupils has ever regret- ted the outlay of the small fee, for instruction, small in com- parison to the value of the information imparted, or part with the latter if he could, for twenty times the amount. DR. J. B. COLEMAN, Post Office Box 34, Chicago, Ills. TESTIMONIALS, HOW TO MAKE A BOOK. The writer prefers to depend upon the merits of his work for its extended sale and the employment of his personal services, both as a teacher and practitioner, than to the ad captandum mode of operations implied in the display of a large number of laudatory testimonials, while the desired and paid for infor- mation's^ non est inventus. This is the general character of a book published a few years since, whose title page would lead the purchaser to imagine that 2i great secret was to be the equivalent for his five dollars; but instead of which he purchased a work that would have been better entftled, "A Collection of Letters and Extracts from Newspapers upon the Merits of a Method of Treatment for Horses' Feet ; " but the rationale of which method could only be imparted after a fee of from one hundred to five hundred dollars has been duly paid and pocketed. The amount, of dis- appointment and profane swearing which has been occasioned by the sale of that book and its purchaser is not edifying to dwell upon. "the plav without the part, of hamlet." The writer of this work believes that it will not belie the promises of its title page ; that it will not create disgust and disappointment ; that it will not be a mere collection of letters laudatory of a system with the system omitted; the'/Zajc of Hamlet with the part of Hamlet left out, but that it will supply the long sought-for information ; the loudly-expressed want of all horse-owners of every class and description ; the most hu- mane and successful of all systems of treatment for the diseases of the feet of horses. 182 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. The writer is indebted to his friends, Addison Doughty and Major Anthony, of this city, for a knowledge of the fact that his plans of treatment, besides its other merits^ is a very large factor in the-development of speed in the trotting horse, by its prevention, and correction, if present, of irregular action ; so much so that the usual upholstery work of boots and pads can be very largely if not entirely dispensed with. This fact alone enhances the value of his special treatment immensely; and with the endorsement of the two foregoing names, he can afford to smile at the rabid hostility manifested by some so- called veterinarians and blacksmiths of this city, who cherish bar shoes and cripples, as institutions, or sources of profit of which, whoever dares to look doubtfully or speak lightly, should be immolated instanter. unexceptionable testimony. It were easy for the writer to make a book of the fetters and testimonials he has received, or may obtain, if he so desired, eulogistic of himself and his system. He hopes, however, the two following letters from well-known practical horsemen of Chicago, will be sufficient to satisfy the very proper desire some may entertain for testimony of this character, before they entrust valuable property into the hands of any one, of whose professional skill they are not themselves personally cognizant. LETTER FROM ADDISON DOUGHTY, ESQ. Training Stable, 404 Webster Avenue, ) Chicago, III., January 21, 1876. j Dr. Coleman : Dear Sir : — I am happy to bear testimony to the extreme value and importance of your methods of treatment for the various diseases to which the foot of the horse is liable. Since becoming your pupil, the knowledge of these methods 183 has been of immense advantage to me, as I have been enabled thereby to improve the speed of several otherwise fast horses, and notably that of "Woodford" and "Pinkie," in a remark- able degree. I have cured many cases of contraction, corn, and quarter-crack, since then, by these means, such cases giv- ing me no trpuble whatever. I have made a remarkable cure of a mare, the short history of which was this : She had been badly foundered, had been five or six weeks in the hands of a doctor who had abandoned her as incurable — as the coffin- bones of her fore feet had become visible through the horny soles. I bought her for experimental purposes at a very low price. I have succeeded in re-instating the coffin-bones in their natural position, the feet are growing down sound, the mare being meanwhile perfectly free from the suspicion of lameness. As this statement may be doubted by some, any one doubting, or requiring any reference as to your capabilities in the premises, can have this statement verified by writing to me upon the matter. I would say that you have my most un- qualified endorsement as a perfect master of all matters per- taining to the foot of the horse and its diseases. If your forth- coming work contains the information I have derived from your personal instructions, it will be an invaluable boon to horse- men, and a blessing to horses of every class, from the trotter to the streeter. I further take pleasure in saying that I have good reasons for reposing confidence in your ability in the treatment of the con- stitutional maladies of the horse ; and I can say as much on behalf of my friends, whose very valuable animals you have treated with perfect success. In conclusion, I would add the expression of my opinion, that if your views and methods of shoeing both sound and lame horses were widely disseminated and generally adopted by horsemen, veterinary surgeons, and shoeing-smiths, diseases of the feet of horses would become exceedingly rare in a very short time. ADDISON DOUGHTY. ~ 184 LETTER FROM R. C. ANTHONY. re Sale Stable, 133 Michigan Chicago, III., January 24, 1876. Boarding and Sale Stable, 133 Michigan Ave, ) Dr. J. B. Coleman, Dear Sir : — In compliance with your request for my opinion as to the value of the special modes of treatment which you practice and teach, I have to state that of nearly fifty cases that you have treated for me, or that I have treated after re- ceiving your instructions, I cannot recall a single instance of want of success in the treatment. They were all cases of foot diseases in some form or another, the greater part I should say were those of contraction, corns, and quarter-crack. Some were believed to have been navicular disease, but whether they were or not they became sound. One was a case of canker in which the sole and nearly the whole of the crust had separated, yet the canker was arrested and a new foot grown out, and the life of a valuable animal saved, which, I think, would have been impossible by any other means than those you adapted. Your clear insight into the general and particular causes of every malady that affects the foot of the horse, and above all your simple, rapid, painless and effective cure of cases usually deemed incurable, or of doubtful cure, such as Navicular Di- sease, Acute and Chronic Founder, and badly contracted feet, stamps you, in my estimation, as a genius in all that pertain to the foot of the horse whether in health or disease. No one can appreciate this statement until they have been in- structed by you in this special branch of horse-knowledge. I can safely recommend all horse-men, no matter what they know already, to avail themselves of your personal instructions upon this subject, feeling assured they will not be disappointed, nor regret the outlay. It is important that horse-men should be made aware of the very marked influence your treatment has over all irregular action, such as hitching, broken-gait, inter- fering, etc. Nothing conduces more powerfully to regulate and perfect action, and to the development of speed than the 185 treatment you advise. My mare, ' Pet," a short time ago, could not be driven by any but myself without getting her gait ' mixed up ' and her fore shoes picked off. Your treatment which is simplicity itself, has changed all that. You further desire my opinion upon the quality of the work which you are about to publish upon the foot of the horse. What I have seen of it in manuscript ; what I know of the in- formation to »be obtained from veterinary works in general ; and my experience in horse-matters generally, enables me to say that it will be the best and most advanced work of its kind ever given to the public. Its utility to horse-men will be of the most valuable character, and I predict that we shall hear of greater achievements in speed than have hitherto been re- corded, when the principles and practice it inculcates in regard to the preservation of sound feet, and the restoration of diseased ones, comtf to be widely appreciated and carried into effect. R. C. ANTHONY. THE DILATOR. The high price charged for a patented instrument of this nature which possesses no special advantage to make it a sine qua twn, and the loss of time, trouble, and expense involved in getting on,e made by the ordinary blacksmith, has led the author of this work to have an instrument manufactured which is equally effective as the patented instrument, and can be sold at a much less price. It can be supplied, plain, for $3.00. Silver or Nickel plated, in leather case, for carrying in the pocket, $6.00. THE BOOK AND THE INSTRUMENT. Until agents, who are wanted everywhere, have been ap- pointed for the sale of the book and the instrument, they can only be obtained from the author. The book will be mailed free, to any address in the U. S., upon the receipt of three dollars. The instrument will be sent, by Express, to any address >^ in the U. S., upon the receipt of three or six dollars respect- ively. The book and the instrument will be sent together, by Ex- press, upon receipt of stated prices. Booksellers ordering the book, or the instrument, or both, may deduct lo per cent, for commission, but pre-payment is a pre-requisite of the order being attended to. Post Office Orders should be made payable and all commun- ications addressed to DR. J. B. COLEMAN, Post Office Box 34, Chicago, III. NOTICE TO HORSE OWNERS. As many horse-owners of Chicago and elsewhere may desire to be informed where, and by whom the foot-diseases of the horse can rationally and successfully be treated upon the prin- ciples and methods of treatment advocated in this work, the author has pleasure in presenting the cards of two gentlemen who are thoroughly indoctrinated with the author's views and processes of treatment, and have effected some very remarkable cures themselves, and into whose care horses of value may be safely sent from any distance for special treatment with perfect confidence. The Horse-Shoers, whose cards are presented, have also been instructed in the author's theory and practice of shoeing the feet of both sound and lame horses. They have been his chief coadjutors in his practice in Chicago, upon the feet of all kinds of horses, whether of much or little value, and he can endorse them as skillful and efficient workmen. ADDISON DOUGHTY, BOA-RDXn-G-. BRIAKIHQ AHD TMIHIKD STABLES, J^os. 402, 404., 4O6 and 4O8 Webster Ave., OXXXC.A.G^O, XXjXj. N. B. — Open for the reception of horses for the special treatment of foot diseases, upon Dr. Coleman's rational, radical and safe methods of cure. R. C. ANTHONY, Boarding and Sale Stable, No. 133 Michigan Avenue, CHICAGO, ILL. H orses crippled by contracted quarters, corns and quarter-crack, may be consigned to him for treatment, and an absolute cure guaranteed in from seven to thirty days, upon DR. COLEMAN'S METHOD OP TREATMENT. JAMES MADDE2T, HORSEhSHOER, Rear of 43 14tli Street, (Between Michigan and Wabash Avenues,) CHICAGO, ILL. His long general experience as a Horse-Shoer, together with the particular experience* which he has gained under the instructions and directions of Dr. Coleman, for the removal of all the diseased conditions of horses' feet, and especially for the quick cure of Con- traction, Corn, Quarter-Crack, Quittors, etc., and the prevention and cure of Interfering, enable him to promise absolute satisfaction to the owners of horses requiring his services. N. B. — All horses shod uilder his own superintendence, and none but the most skillful workmen employed. MICHAEL KEADY, PRACTICAL HORSE-SHOER, 7Q2 Larrabee Street, (Near Lincoln Avenue.) All kinds of Interfering and all Contractions, Split Hoofs and Corns guaranteed to be cured by Dr. Coleman's method of treatment.