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DEFINITIONS. 



The foot of the horse admits of two definitions : the common, 

 and the anatomical. 



The common implies the horny extremity of the limb, and 

 the tissues contained within it; the anatomical applies to all 

 the structures beyond the lower joint of the knee. 



It is in its common acceptation that I shall use the term 

 foot. I do not for the present propose to enlarge my scope of 

 inquiry beyond the limits implied in this term, except by way 

 of explanation or illustration of doctrine concerning the func- 

 tions of the pedal organ. Indeed, I fear that I shall be found, 

 even within these limits, to tax the endurance of my readers 

 very considerably, whether professional or not, as I find it im- 

 possible to do justice to the numerous topics of discussion that 

 arise out of a consideration of the foot of the horse in its varied 

 aspects of structure and function by any very summary style 

 of treatment. 



THE EXTERNAL STRUCTURES OF THE FOOT. 



The external structures of the foot, regarded as a whole, is 

 called the hoof. The hoof may be conveniently divided into 

 the wall, sole, bars, frog, and frog-band. 



Figure i. — View of the Hoof when separated from its interna/ attachments, 

 a a a. The Wall ; b. The Coronary Concavity ; c. The Horny Plates or Laminae ; 

 dd. The Internal Commissures; e. The Horny Frog; f. The Internal Prominence of 

 the Frog corresponding to the External Cleft ; gg. Inner Surface of the Sole ; h. The 

 Frog-band. 



