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CHAPTER YU, 



Diseases of the Foot. 



1 HE most frequent cause of lameness in the 

 foot is a contraction of the horny matter that 

 composes the hoof, generally accompanied 

 by an increased concavity and thickness of 

 the sole. The cavity of the hoof being thus 

 diminishe.l, the sensible foot sutlers a greater 

 or less degree of compression, which occasions 

 in it inflammation and lameness. When we 

 examine the bottom of a contracted foot, in- 

 stead of being circular, it will be found of an 

 oblong form ; the heels and frog will appear as 

 if they had been squeezed together. Some- 

 times the frog has become rotten, and dis- 

 charofes an offensive matter. 



The sensible foot may also be compressed 

 and inflamed by an increased thickness, and a 

 consequent loss of elasticit}" in the hoof and 

 sole, and in this case there is seldom any con- 

 siderable alteration observed in the external 

 form of the foot. 



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