SHOEmc^. 



677 



Contraction may be divided into three different classes : 1. 

 A general compression or drawing in of the wall upon the vascu- 

 lar structure. 2. When but one or 

 both quarters are drawn in. 3. 

 When the heels are curled in, or 

 pushed forward under the foot. 

 Hence the prevention and cure of 

 contraction must depend upon re- 

 moving excess of horn, frog-pressure, 

 freedom of the quarters, or, if nec- 

 essary, opening them mechanically 

 as desired, and upon moisture. Any 

 of these conditions lacking, there 

 must in serious cases be partial or 

 entire failure, no matter what the 

 means or methods used. If the feet 

 could have conditions that Avould 

 afford natural moisture, and the 



Fig. 505.— The foot after the inflam- 

 mation subsided, growing down 

 nearly a quarter of an inch 

 larger. 



shoes made so thin that the frog 

 and sole could have reasonable con- 

 tact with the ground, the quarters 

 so free that they could expand with 

 the grov. th of the feet, there could 

 be but little if any contraction. 

 We see that in all cases where there 

 ii reasonable frog pressure, it be- 

 comes larger, firmer, and more elas- 

 tic ; while raising the f i"og from con- 

 tact, causes it to become small and 

 Fig. 506.— The foot drawn in and bard, the quarters to draw in, and 

 deformed from long-continued in- the whole f oot to diminish more or 

 flammation caused by a nail be- ]q^^ \^ ^{^^e. But if not aCCUStomed 



ing driven into the foot. The , -i i i i i • „ _ j 



r' , to pressure, it shoukl be given gracl- 

 hoof growing about half an ^ i i • 



inch larger after the in- "ally, in connection With kcepmg 



flammation subsided. the feet thoroughly softened, so as 



