The Foot Its Care and Shoeing. 119 



the sole to flatten increases with work and age; an exces- 

 sively wide spread heel will tend to let down the sole. 

 The sole should be strong, concave on its under side and 

 of fair thickness, the sole tissue flakes off during wear. 

 Bruises of the sole usually show by discoloration; the 

 sole is not intended to bear any great amount of weight; 

 in its union with the wall it forms what is termed the 

 white line r the back (posterior) border of the sole is V 

 shaped and runs into the angle formed by the bars and 

 wall. The frog is a mass of spongy horn lodged between 

 the bars designed to recei ve a considerable portion of 

 the weight of the body and by its elasticity to diminish 

 concussion, on its under surface is a small depression 

 known as the cleft; its upper surface presents small open- 

 ings to receive the sensitive parts above, in its center is 

 an elevation corresponding to the cleft, known as the 

 frogstay. Inside of the sensitive structure are the bones 

 of the foot; these bones may be said to represent the 

 human foot, the sensitive structures the stocking, and the 

 hoof the boot. 



The lateral cartilages, two half-moon shaped pieces of 

 gristle found at the upper part of the quarters, are of 

 interest because so often affected, being turned into bone 

 (ossified) and thus rendered immovable; the cartilages 

 are attached below to the wings of the pedal bones. 



The sensitive laminae may be considered as growths or 

 continuations of the coronary cushion and it is important 

 to remember that the band (coronary cushion) on account 

 of its manner of growth should on no account be cut 

 through or the shape and appearance of the foot will be 

 injured; if by any means the wall is stripped so as to 



