366 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 
The nerves of the foot are known by names corresponding to those of 
the blood-vessels which they accompany. The plantar nerves (Fig. 15, 
6696,” “627,” 28”) lie by the side of and behind the corresponding artery, 
and, as they descend into the foot, are distributed to the same organs 
and regions. The final branches enter the foramina in the coflin-bone, 
ininutely subdivide in it, pass through its many canals, and escape at 
the edges of the sole to the sensitive parts of the foot, in company with 
the terminal twigs of the arteries. (Fig. 17.) 
DISEASES OF THE FOOT. 
The most practical division of this subject is based upon the structures 
affected, so that we may have diseases of the bones, of the joints, 
of the soft tissues, and of the hoof. A large portion of these are in- 
flammations or the results of inflammation. 
Original inflammation of the bony tissue is comparatively rare, while 
that of the periostial investment of the bone is quite frequent. A 
variety of causes may account for this. Perhaps the most common is 
the evil of overwork. Hard driving on a hard road, as on a plank 
road, on the frozen ground, or on the ice, or the strain of draught at too 
heavy a load, may excite periostial inflammation, and from this as a 
commencement we may have splint, spavin, ring-bone, nodes, &c. 
Splint (Fig. 18) is a bony tumor at some point about the cannon and 
splint bones. The knee-joint is formed at its inferior part, between the 
lower row of carpal bones and the cannon and splint bones, the two 
latter forming a considerable portion of the joint. As the leg is flexed 
these bones slide upon the cannon-bone, contributing to the elasticity of 
the step. When the motion is violent and long continued, especially 
with striking upon a hard surface, irritation first and inflammation after- 
ward may be produced in the periostial membrane covering these bones, 
Bony matter is thrown out in the immediate vicinity of their adjacent 
surfaces, and the result is a sealing together of the bones and the for- 
mation of a bony tumor. Unfortunately the condition is frequently 
overlooked until the change is complete and the disease beyond a remedy, 
for when the bony union is thoroughly consolidated it cannot be reme- 
died. For a time, while the deposit is fresh callus, and the circulation 
active, measures to abate the inflammation and to excite the absorption 
of the deposit may restore the integrity of the part. 
Ringbone, (Figs. 19 and 20.)—In the pathology of the disease splint 
and ring-bone are the same. They have the same causes, and are pre- 
ceded by the same stages of morbid action; but, from the relation of 
parts, ring-bone, at its forming stage, gives rise to earlier and greater 
lameness. Attention is earlier called to the disease, and treatment is 
usually sooner applied. Splint may goon to its final stage of bony con- 
solidation without giving rise to much lameness, and without attracting 
attention to the diseased part, which may escape observation unless the 
hand is passed over the small tumor; but in ring-bone usually the lame- 
ness appears with the inflammation, and the earliest effusion over the 
region calls attention to the seat of the disease. 
Spavin, (Figs. 21, 22, 23, and 24.)—When it consists in the deposit 
of bony matter about the hock joint, and the consequent cementing to- 
gether of the tarsal bones, or the destruction of the tarso-metatarsal 
joint, is a similar disease, having essentially the same causes. This form 
of disease may exist in every degree, from a slight exostosis near the 
joint to such an amount as will entirely destroy the joint, and so invade 
the soft tissues that the slightest movement is productive of\great suf- 
fering. : 
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