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Observation XIII. 



The hoof of a horfe may be compared to a 

 fponge ', when it is dry it contradts itfelf even 

 to the inner parts ; if it be moiftened, it foft- 

 ens and dilates •, if he flands long in a liable 

 without taking care to keep the hoofs moift, he 

 often goes lame ; becaufe they are fufceptible 

 of contradlion as well as dilatation. The com- 

 preiTion in the hoof happens by the coronary 

 pufliing againfl the nut-bone, upon which it 

 partly moves ; which having the adlion of a le- 

 ver, takes for its point of fupport the upper 

 and fore-part of the foot-bone comprefled , 

 the nut- bone which it raifes, and which pufhes 

 againft the Tendo AchiUis^ which tendon prefTes 

 the flefhy fole againfl the horny one; and all 

 thefe combined compreffions produce an in- 

 flammation upon the flefhy fole, which fpreads 

 over all the other parts. 



Observation XIV. 



I have happened to drefs the fhoulders of lame 

 horfes, becaufe the owners infilled that the caufe 

 was in that part •, although it really was in the 

 feet, and proceeded from compreffion ; thefe 

 horfes were cured without having any remedies 

 applied to the feet, but it was by great 



B 3 chance^ 



