3()6 The Farmer'' s Veterinary Adviser. 



ored by fibro-cartilage, and constitutes a pulley, over which 

 plays the flexor tendon of the foot. These are subject 

 to like injuries with similar parts elsewhere. Thus the 

 bones are liable to fracture, to absorption from pressure, 

 to ulceration, to bony outgrowths, to induration, to soften- 

 ing, to death and exfoliation, in connection with pricks 

 with nails or other sharp bodies. The joint is subject to 

 inflammation, in connection with wounds, rheumatism, 

 overwork, etc. The flexor tendon is exposed to sprains, 

 and, together with its synovial sheath and the sesamoid 

 bone, to inflammation, ulceration, and the formation of 

 new structures, which impair or destroy the functions of 

 the part. 



The posterior third of the hoof has for its frame-work 

 an elastic cushion, which makes continuation of the bones 

 backward, without maintaining their rigidity. This cush- 

 ion comprises two lateral ' fibro-cartilages that extend 

 backward from the heels of the cofiin-bone, and the upper 

 elastic borders of which may be felt under the skin, just 

 above the hoof, in the region of the quarter; also in the 

 median line and continuous laterally with the cartilages, 

 a thick pad of white and elastic fibres, corresponding in 

 position to the horny frog, and known as the elastic frog. 

 These are subject to inflammation, suppuration, ulcera- 

 tion, ossification, fractures, necrosis, etc. In its healthy 

 condition this cushion obviates the shocks, jars, concus- 

 sions, bruises (corns), fractures and lameness which 

 would necessarily result were this region occupied by 

 unyielding bone. It further allows of expansion of the 

 heel under continuous use and application of moisture, 

 and its contraction under prolonged disuse and drying. 



Covering this bony and elastic frame-work is a dense 

 fibrous net-work, with interspaces and canals for the pas- 

 sage of blood-vessels and nerves, firmly bound to the bony 

 and elastic structures by its deeper surface and to the hoof 

 by its superficial. On the outer surface of this fibrous 

 net-work is the membrane secreting the horn. The part 



