INTRODUCTION 5 
a yielding sensation to the fingers not unlike that imparted 
by a soft indiarubber, and as easily sliced as cheese-rind. 
Lastly, though the foot is extremely liable to suffer from 
the effects of extreme dryness or excessive humidity, 
especially with regard to the changes thus brought about 
in the nature of the horn, it is perforce exposed at all times 
to the varying condition of the roads upon which it must 
travel. The intense dryness of summer and the constant 
damp of winter, each in their turn take part in the 
deteriorating influences at work upon it. 
Though this subject might be indefinitely prolonged, this 
brief résumé of the adverse circumstances to which the 
foot of the horse is exposed is sufficient to point out the 
extreme importance of its study to the veterinary surgeon. 
So long as the horse is used as a beast of burden so long 
will this branch of veterinary surgery offer a wide and 
remunerative field of labour. 
