INTRODUCTION 5 



a yielding sensation to the fingers not unlike that imparted 

 by a soft indiarubber, and as easily sliced as cheese-rind. 



Lastly, though the foot is extremely liable to suffer from 

 the effects of extreme dryness or excessive humidity, 

 especially with regard to the changes thus brought about 

 in the nature of the horn, it is perforce exposed at all times 

 to the varying condition of the roads upon which it must 

 travel. The intense dryness of summer and the constant 

 damp of winter, each in their turn take part in the 

 deteriorating influences at work upon it. 



Though this subject might be indefinitely prolonged, this 

 brief resume of the adverse circumstances to which the 

 foot of the horse is exposed is sufficient to point out the 

 extreme importance of its study to the veterinary surgeon. 

 So long as the horse is used as a beast of burden so long 

 will this branch of veterinary surgery offer a wide and 

 remunerative field of labour. 



