116 



inflection, and the position of the wing of the coffin-bone con-^ 

 siderably anterior to it, not directly over it ; that the movements 

 of the coffin-bone are perfectly natural and considerably raised 

 above the senitive secreting structure of the sole at this part, 

 and there is a febro-elastic pad between the secreting struc- 

 ture and the bone. Free action of the bone implies 

 healthy action, and such action per se could not crush tissues 

 between it and the iron shoe. If we admit that this action 

 might become abnormal, then it would follow that the injured 

 tissues would be those coming directly between the active and 

 passive agents, and such is not the case, for the corn is devel- 

 oped nearly two inches away from the heel or wing of the coffin- 

 bone, at the spot where the walls of the angle approximate and 

 unite to form the angle. 



CONTRACTION OR LATERAL PRESSURE THE CAUSE OF CORN. 



It is not, therefore, vertical pressure which is the cause of 

 corn, but lateral pressure, although when lateral pressure, 

 which is only another name for contraction, exists, and the free 

 movements of the bone are impeded, morbid conditions may 

 be set up between the bone and the sole that would contribute 

 its quota to the general and particular causes of lameness of 

 the animal suffering from such an interference with the free 

 movements of his locomotive apparatus. 



The lateral pressure theory, however, explains it all, and the 

 effect of removing lateral pressure knocks the vertical pressure 

 theory and Mr. Gamgee's no-contraction nonsense, both to- 

 gether, at the same time, "higher than a kite." 



TREATMENT OF CORN. 



I deem it sufficient proof of the correctness of the lateral 

 pressure theory that if we reverse the condition of contraction, 

 right opposite the angle of inflection, when corn is present ; 

 in other words, if we cut out the inner side of the angle, namely, 

 the bar, open the heel, and expand the quarter, lateral pressure 

 is removed. Thus the cause of the condition termed corn 

 being removed the pain abates, and the visible evidences of 



