5^8 S T R A I N S. ^ 



groom are fo frequently at a lofs for their de- 

 finition or explanation of any particular lame- 

 nels, fixing ic by conjeSure upon any part (at- 

 tributing it to any caufe but the right ; and 

 to this they are feldom diredled by any mental 

 information, pofiefling a very barren concep- 

 tion of the ftrucfture of parts, their purpofes, 

 or appropriations. The mufcles or tendons (by 

 farriers generally termed finews) are ftrong 

 elaftic fubftances, compofed of innumerable 

 threads or fibres, pofielfing the properties of 

 extenfion and contraction to a certain degree, 

 , beyoiid which their flexibility or e!afticity can- 

 not be extended without palpable injury, and 

 certain lamenefs 5 for, by overftraining, their 

 elaftic quality (or affinity to catgut) is in a 

 great meafure deftroyed in proportion to the 

 injury fuftained. To render this idea [o clear 

 that it cannot be mifunderflood, let us fuppofe 

 that a horfe is going at his rate, and in fo do- 

 ing his toe covers a prominence, or the tdgQ 

 crone, where the heel has no fupport, it ccn- 

 fequently extends the tendons beyond the dif- 

 tance afforded by nature, and infiantly con- 

 ftitutes what is called a letting down of the 

 back finews, a circumftance that conftantly 

 happens upoti the turf in running for a heat, 

 4 and 



