CHAPTER X. 



Growth of the Horn — Protection to the Foot. 



The ill effects of rendering nugatory the natural guards against 

 concussion are so palpable that it appears like a waste of space to re- 

 iterate the pixjof of the injuries that are sure to follow. But who- 

 ever will take time enough to become acquainted with the mechanism 

 of the foot, and will give the subject some attention, can scarcely 

 fail to see the importance of retaining the elasticity intact. Not 

 merely that of the frog, as the spring which follows giving the quar- 

 ters full play is an aid which cannot be dispensed with without se- 

 rious injury. There is another thing in connection with the topic 

 which is worthy of consideration, and that is the gi-owth of horn. 

 That this is much slower in the foot which has been shod, we have 

 abundant proof, and it does not require examinations extending over 

 a long period to become satisfied. Though the hom is deposited by 

 ducts in the coronary band, their activity is stimulated by the natu- 

 ral functions being preserved. In this there is a similarity to the 

 waste and reproduction of the muscles. Muscular effort brings a 

 waste of the tissues, but the action that destroys also stimidates 

 the organs which deposit the material, and the I'epair is accelerated 

 so that there is an absolute increase of the motive power. Though 

 the loss is greater, there is an exti-a compensation — a return of the 

 capital with interest. There must be a judicious exercise of the mus- 

 cles or there will be a diminution in the bulk, and a shrinkage which 

 the blood has not the power to replace. In the foot there may be so 



ill 1 



