LAMENESS. 15 



that a splent consists in a conversion of fibro-cartilage into osseous 

 matter, the same as happens in bone spavin ; he understands what 

 is the pathological interpretation of the phrases " broken down," 

 " sprung sinews," &c. ; he is acquainted with the nature of curb, 

 of ringbone, of quittor, &c. ; in fine, generally speaking, when any 

 mystery hangs about a case of lameness, it has reference to its 

 seat : when that is discovered, the nature of the ailment is com- 

 monly either palpable to demonstration, or from certain symptoms 

 and appearances fairly and safely deducible. * 



A Comparison between the Fore and Hind Limbs, 

 made with a view of exhibiting the kind or nature, as well as 

 the number, of lamenesses they are respectively obnoxious to, and 

 of shewing what parts in limbs so differently constructed and 

 circumstanced are commonly the first to fail, will, perhaps, be well 

 prefaced by a sketch of the advantages the quadruped from his 

 two additional legs possesses over the biped. While standing, 

 the quadruped's limbs support him after the manner of a form 

 or four-legged stool : they call for little or no assistance from mus- 

 cle — receive what aid they require to maintain themselves ex- 

 tended almost exclusively from elastic powers. This allows to the 

 quadruped a degree of repose and of recruitment of strength in the 

 standing posture of which the biped — with his two limbs — is 

 insusceptible. And no sooner does the time arrive for progression 

 than a still greater difference is observable. The fore limbs per- 

 form one office in progression, the hind limbs another. While 

 the latter are exerting themselves, after the manner of two power- 

 ful levers, to propel the animal machine onward, the former have 

 little else to do but, while they are keeping pace with the hind 

 limbs, to carry the fore parts of the body, together with the head 

 and neck, in their elevated position — support them lest they fall 

 to the ground. Thus, while the hind limbs have to sustain the 

 force of great muscular efforts, the fore have to sustain a repe- 

 tition of shocks from concussion of a nature injurious or not, 

 depending upon the pace or act of exertion the horse is put to, 

 as well as upon the surface of Ihe ground, hard or soft, even or 

 uneven, upon which he has to perform the said pace or act. Of 

 the hind limb, the hock is, of all others, the joint most employed 



