262 DISEASES OF THE HORSE'S FOOT 
pressure from the fore-parts of the hoof. When placing 
the body-weight behind, the pressure, instead of falling 
upon the highly sensitive lamin, is directed to the follicular 
and fatty tissues of the plantar cushion; from there, with 
only a small portion of the sensitive sole intervening, to 
the horny frog, and from ‘hence to the ground. 
The same distribution cf weight also places the foot in a 
position of greatest expansion, thus, by giving greater room 
to the diseased parts, again affording relief of pressure on 
the inflamed lamine, while it at the same time relieves 
of weight the foremost portions of the sensitive sole. 
With the fore-feet alone attacked, the animal affects 
exactly the same position of standing as that just described. 
The fore-feet are again extended, and the hind propped far 
beneath him. The fore extended, in order to obtain the relief 
occasioned by standing on the heels; the hind in this case 
carried forward in order to take a greater share of the body- 
weight, and thus relieve the congested members in front. 
With the hind only attacked, then the fore and the hind 
feet are more closely approximated: than in the normal 
position. The reason, of course, is that the hind-feet are 
carried forward in order to be placed upon the heels, while 
the fore are taken backwards to relieve the hind of the 
body-weight. 
In like manner the movements of the animal will vary 
with the feet affected. With only the front-feet diseased 
the animal is, comparatively speaking, comfortable. The 
hind-feet take the weight, and the animal stands for 
long periods together, resting alternately first one fore-foot 
and then the other, moving often in a circle of which his 
body is the radius, and his hind-limbs the centre. If urged 
to move forward, then immediately his countenance and 
movements manifest the pain to which he is put. Only 
with reluctance does he cause the fore-feet to take weight. 
They are shuffled forward quickly one after the other, so 
that weight may not be placed upon them for one instant 
longer than is necessary, and the hind-limbs immediately 
brought again with two short, awkward movements beneath 
