28 ON THE NAVICULAR DISKASE. 



neral contraction first described, or this occult par- 

 tial contraction. 

 « There will be found an ascent of the coffin bone 



within the hoof, occasioned bv the contraction : it 

 is the elevation of this laro-er foot bone w hich neces- 

 sarily puts its small companion, the navicular bone, 

 in jeopardy. I say, necessarily ; because they are 

 so closely knit together by ligaments, that the smal- 

 ler bone bears the resemblance of a process to the 

 larger. 

 occuiicontrac- The occult contractiou is chiefly to be dreaded 



tion of the hoof „ i i • 



from below up- lor thcsc obvious rcasous : it occasions a more par- 

 wards, tiie most • p 1 • 1 • • 

 serious en- tial prcssurc, is Irequently more rapid in its pro- 

 gress, and, by operating principally from below up- 

 wards, has a greater tendency to elevate the colfin 

 and navicular bones. 



On the contrary, the simple or general contrac- 

 tion is a more lateral compression, and so slow in 

 its encroachment, that it affords, perhaps, one of 

 the most striking; instances in the animal creation 

 of Nature's resources, when contendino' against 

 hostile agencies, if she is not too abruptly violated. 

 This is completely verified in the contracted foot of 

 an old hard-worked horse, free from lameness. Na- 

 ture appears to have had time to atlapt herself to the 

 change, without inflammation being iiiiliiced, in 

 that degree, however, sufficient to occasion pain. 



The most obvious efl'ect of contraction, whether of 

 the simple or occult kind, appears to be absorption ; 



