800 DISEASES OF THE HORSE’S FOOT 
that pressure of the toe-clip is a cause of the new growth. 
This, we should say, cannot be a very strong factor in the 
causation, for, while we admit that the continual pressure 
of the clip,and the heavy hammering that sometimes fits it 
into position, is likely to set up a chronic inflammatory 
condition of the sensitive lamine in that region, we must 
still point out that the rarity of keraphyllocele, as compared 
with the fact that clips are on every shoe, does not allow of 
the argument carrying any great weight. 
Symptoms.—Except under certain conditions this defect 
is difficult of detection. As a rule, lameness is not produced 
by it. In making that statement we are led largely by the 
conclusion arrived at by Professor Walley. This observer 
noted the fact that ingrowths of horn such as we are 
describing nearly always take place in false quarter, or 
after a sand-crack has been repaired, and that they com- 
monly occur after the operation of grooving the wall in the 
manner we have just shown. 
Now, we know that quite often under these circumstances 
the horse goes perfectly sound. Thus, while we know that 
in all probability keraphyllocele is in existence, we have 
ocular demonstration that the animal is quite unaffected 
by it. 
In some cases, however, lameness is present. During 
the early stages of the growth’s formation it is but slight, 
increasing as the keraphyllocele enlarges. Should this be 
the case, other symptoms present themselves. The coronet 
is hot, and tender to the touch, sometimes even perceptibly 
swollen, and percussion over the wail is met with flinching 
on the part of the animal. In other cases one is led to 
suspect the condition by the prominence of the horn of 
the wall of the toe. This is distinctly ridge-like from the 
coronet to the ground, while on either side of it the quarters 
appear to have sunk to less than their normal dimensions. 
We believe this to be an illusion, as a ridge of any size 
at the toe readily gives one the impression of atrophy behind 
it, without this latter condition being actually present. 
Should this ridge-like formation and the accompanying 
