CONTRACTION. 471 



For expanding the Heels by Force, " there has been," 

 continues Coleman, " an instrument recommended, by means of 

 which they certainly have been dilated to a considerable degree, 

 consisting of a shoe having a joint at the toe, and a screw cross- 

 bar at the heels, which are made with inside clips. I can 

 readily imagine that this may be productive of good in some 

 cases, i. e., as far as opening the heels go; but there is less 

 danger in bringing this about by a process of growth, and you 

 are more likely to accomplish it effectually than through any 

 mechanical operation." 



The Removal of Contraction does not always re- 

 move Lameness. " Although," goes on to say Coleman, " we 

 have had no difficulty in restoring the original form of the hoof, 

 we frequently find we have gained nothing by it; nor could it 

 be expected, unless we can at the same time restore the original 

 structure of the parts contained within the contracted hoof. 

 Contraction, by pressure upon the parts within the hoof, pro- 

 duces inflammation of the laminae and ossification of them. This 

 accounts for the horse cantering or galloping instead of trotting, 

 and so avoiding coming down with his heels upon the hard 

 ground, and thereby experiencing concussion, arising from want 

 of elasticity in the laminae ; so that (although the contraction be 

 removed), if the horse comes to be worked, he will fall lame again. 

 In nine cases out of ten of what we term groggy ox foundered 

 horses, these parts, inconsequence of chronic inflammation, have 

 become altered in structure, eff*usion of lymph ar bony matter 

 having taken place." 



The grand Point at which I am at issue with 

 Coleman is, that, instead of contraction of the hoof producing 

 inflammation of the foot, in my opinion it is the inflammation 

 that gives rise to the contraction. I, believe, as I said before, 

 pure contraction, i. e., contraction without any disease of the 

 foot, to be a comparatively rare occurrence. In my opinion, 

 inflammation is first set up in the foot, and then, from the organ 

 not being in a condition for use, contraction befals the hoof — in 

 certain horses, but not in all, or in all to the same degree. A foot 

 laid up out of use, or but as little used as possible — which is the 



