262 DISEASES OF THE HORSE'S FOOT 



ing pressure from the fore-parts of the hoof. When placing 

 the body-weight behind, the pressure, instead of falling 

 upon the highly sensitive laminae, is directed to the follicular 

 and fatty tissues of the plantar cushion ; from there, with 

 only a small portion of the sensitive sole intervening, to 

 the horny frog, and from thence to the ground. 



The same distribution of weight also places the foot in a 

 position of greatest expansion, thus, by giving greater room 

 to the diseased parts, again affording relief of pressure on 

 tiie inflamed laminae, while it at the same time relieves 

 r f weight the foremost portions of the sensitive sole. 



With the fore-feet alone attacked, the animal affects 

 exactly the same position of standing as that just described. 

 The fore-feet are again extended, and the hind propped far 

 beneath him. The fore extended, in order to obtain the relief 

 occasioned by standing on the heels ; the hind in this case 

 carried forward in order to take a greater share of the body- 

 w eight, and thus relieve the congested members in front. 



With the hind only attacked, then the fore and the hind 

 feet are more closely approximated than in the normal 

 position. The reason, of course, is that the hind-feet are 

 carried forward in order to be placed upon the heels, while 

 the fore are taken backwards to relieve the hind of the 

 body-weight. 



In like manner the movements of the animal will vary 

 with the feet affected. With only the front-feet diseased 

 the animal is, comparatively speaking, comfortable. The 

 hind- feet take the weight, and the animal stands for 

 long periods together, resting alternately first one fore-foot 

 and then the other, moving often in a circle of which his 

 body is the radius, and his hind-limbs the centre. If urged 

 to move forward, then immediately his countenance and 

 movements manifest the pain to which he is put. Only 

 with reluctance does he cause the fore-feet to take weight. 

 They are shuffled forward quickly one after the other, so 

 that weight may not be placed upon them for one instant 

 longer than is necessary, and the hind-limbs immediately 

 brought again with two short, awkward movements beneath 



