366 TH^ FARM DOCTOR. 



face is covered by a fibro-cartilage, and constitutes a pulley, 

 over which plays the flexor tendon of the foot. These are 

 subject to like injuries with similar parts elsewhere. Thus the 

 bones are liable to fracture, to absorption from pressure, to 

 ulceration, to bony outgrowths, to induration, to softening, to 

 death and exfoliation, in connexion with pricks, with nails, or 

 other sharp bodies. The joint is subject to inflammation, in 

 connexion with wounds, rheumatism, ovenvoik, eta The 

 flexor tendon is exposed to sprains, and, together with its 

 synovial sheath and the sesamoid bone, to inflammation, ulcer- 

 ation, and the formation of new structures, which impair or 

 destroy the functions of the part. 



The posterior third of the hoof has for its framework an 

 elastic cushion, which makes continuation of the bones backward, 

 without maintaining their rigidity. This cushion comprises two 

 lateral fibro-cartilages that extend backward from the heels of the 

 cofiin-bone, and the upper elastic borders of which may be felt 

 under the skin, just above the hoof, in the region of the quarter; 

 also in the median line, and continuous laterally with the 

 cartilages, a thick pad of white and elastic fibres, corresponding 

 in position to the horny frog, and known as the elastic frog. 

 These are subject to inflammation, suppuration, ulceration, 

 ossification, fractures, necrosis, etc. In its healthy condition 

 this cushion obviates the shocks, jars, concussions, bruises 

 (corns), fractures, and lameness, which would necessarily result 

 .were this region occupied by unyielding bone. It further 

 allows of expansion of the heel under continuous use and 

 application of moisture, and its contraction under prolonged 

 disuse and drying. 



Covering this bony and elastic framework is a dense fibrous 

 net-work, with interspaces and canals for the passage of blood- 

 vessels and nerves, firmly bound to the bony and elastic 

 structures by its deeper surface, and to the hoof by its super* 

 ficial. On the outer surface of this fibrous net-work is the 



