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of treatment are based. There is nothing new in the practice 

 of dilating the foot for a contracted condition of that organ, 

 , though I incline to the opinion that something new will be 

 found in its application, and in the theory which embraces and 

 explains the etiology and the rationale of cure of every specific 

 disease of the foot, and throws new light on some of the mys- 

 terious constitutional maladies of the horse. 



The process, limited to the correction of contraction, was 

 recommended by La Fosse, a celebrated French equine path- 

 ologist, over a century since, and his successors at the Veter- 

 inary College of Toulouse, have issued a brochure on the sub- 

 ject within the last decade; still, however, limiting its utility to 

 contraction. Horse-shoers everywhere, but especially in the 

 country districts, occasionally pry open the horns of the shoe 

 with a common smith's tongs. 



I have experimented and investigated, and have found that 

 there is literally no disease, and scarcely a condition of the 

 equine foot to which it is not applicable, whether it is for the 

 prevention or cure of disease, or for the correction of faulty 

 action, and per consequence, the development of speed. 



This universal applicability has revealed the true character 

 and causes of some diseases about which controversies have 

 raged and spent themselves in vain for the last three quarters 

 of a century, as far as a solution of the questions in dispute was 

 concerned, and of others which have hitherto been very diffi- 

 cult of cure, but of which the difficulties are now completely 

 overcome. In short, the long sought for theory, which most 

 writers on veterinary pathology have thought would in time be 

 found, that would explain and harmonize many conflicting 

 opinions and recorded observations upon these matters, and 

 show the true sequence of the causes and effects which pro- 

 duce the various disorders of the foot of the horse, in the wri- 

 ter's opinion, has been found, and is now submitted to the 

 judgment of the veterinary profession and the world — for the 

 first time. 



