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Observation XIII. 



The hoof of a horfe may be compared to a 

 fponge ; when it is dry it contracts itfelf even 

 to the inner parts ; if it be moiflened, it foft- 

 ens and dilates -, if he flands long in a fiable 

 without taking care to keep the hoofs moifb, he 

 often goes lame ; becaufe they are fufceptible 

 of contraction as well as dilatation. The com- 

 preflion in the hoof happens by the coronary 

 pufhing againft the nut-bone, upon which it 

 partly moves ; which having the action of a le- 

 ver, takes for its point of fupport the upper 

 and fore-part of the foot-bone compreflèd ; 

 the nut-bone which it raifes, and which pufhes 

 againft the Tendo Achillis, which tendon preffes 

 the flefhy fole againft the horny one; and all 

 thefe combined compreflions produce an in- 

 flammation upon the flefhy fole, which fpreads 

 over all the other parts. 



Observation XIV. 



I have happened to drefs the moulders of lame 

 horfes, becaufe the owners infifted that the caufe 

 was in that part ; although it really was in the 

 feet, and proceeded from compreffion ; thefe 

 horfes were cured without having any remedies 

 applied to the feet, but it was by great 

 B 3 chance, 



