AND MALFORMATIONS OF THE FEET. 119 



inside being more perpendicular than those on the 

 outside are thereby more advantageously placed for 

 sustaining weight. 



The crust is placed by nature on the outer edge 

 of the foot, because in that position it affords the 

 greatest circumference for bearing weight. The 

 shoe will be found most worn towards its outer 

 circumference, because the portion of the crust 

 best adapted for bearing weight rests on it there. 

 Again, of its circumference the shoe in horses shod 

 as recommended is most worn at the quarters, 

 because the greatest width of the foot is found at 

 that part, and the point of greatest width is the 

 natural point of bearing for the greatest weight. 



97. Whether the foot expands on cominsf to or Expansion 



. ,. ofthefoot. 



leaving the ground, is a matter m dispute among 

 veterinary surgeons. 



Professor Dick of Edinburgh, if we mistake 

 not, holds that the lower part of the foot contracts 

 on coming to the ground, from the pressure of 

 the superincumbent weight. The late Professor 

 Barlow held that it neither contracted nor ex- 

 panded ; that though there was motion and expan- 

 sion in the upper part, there was none in the lower 

 or insensible portion of the foot, though there 

 might be elasticity in it. The common opinion, 

 without doubt, is that the foot expands on coming 

 to the ground. 



