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traclus, for how could we better describe the condition of very 

 large numbers of horses' feet, than by saying they were drawn 

 or gotten together, at the heels, narrow in the quarters, the in- 

 side quarter generally raised above the other, sometimes both 

 quarters unnaturally raised, gathered in, or joined close in the 

 medial frog-fissure, straight or upright quarters ; wrinkled and 

 shrivelled walls and heels, and lastly difficult; difficult indeed 

 for the poor horse to travel with such a locomotive apparatus 

 as this, and most difficult usually to heal. 



AUTHORIZED DEFINITIONS. 



From these it appears to me that the word" contraction ' not 

 only includes various conditions, whether of diseased horses' 

 feet, or otherwise, but that it has both an active and passive 

 signification, the act of contracting and the state of contraction, 

 which extends its range of application considerably; for have 

 we not evidence of both active and passive contraction in the 

 various forms and stages and degrees in which it is met ? In 

 the majority of cases that have come under my notice, I believe 

 the active has preceded the passive ; in fact, has produced the 

 passive condition. I therefore cannot coincide with Mr. Gam- 

 gee in the opinion that the use of the word 'Contraction' in 

 the common acceptation of that term, is the " source of imagin- 

 ary measures to subdue myths," and for myself shall, in a gen- 

 eral way, abide by the common acceptation of its meaning. 

 When a nice distinction is necessary it will be time to indulge in 

 it. 



WHAT DOES ATROPHY MEAN.? 



The one essential idea conveyed by it is wasting for lack of 

 nutrition. Atrophy is a very useful word employed in the 

 right place, but its signification is too limited to truly indicate 

 many of the most common affections of horses' feet. It will 

 indicate one condition and no more. 



Let us test ■ 



