152 
CORNS. 
CoRNS are bruises or contusions of the sensitive memibrane, which covers 
the lower surface of the coffin-bone, and secretes the horny sole. A corn 
appears as a small reddish spot or patch, in the space between the bars and 
the_wall at the heel, Corns are almost always met with in the fore feet, 
though the hind ones are also sometimes affected. In nearly all cases it is 
the insides of the feet, which are the seats of these bruises, and this is 
probably attributable to the fact that more weight is thrown on the inner 
than on the outer side of the foot. We mentioned, in treating of navicular 
_disease, that the fore feet were much more liable to suffer from continued 
concussion than the hind ones. This would also account for the much more 
common occurrence Of corns in the fore feet than in the hind ones. As in 
navicular disease, so in the case of corns, it has been observed that animals 
subjected to constant work on hard ground, are more liable to become 
affected ; and this is especially the case with high-stepping animals, with 
weak heels and marked “heel action.” In the accompanying picture of the 
near fore foot, A shows the position of corns between the bar B and the wall 
at the heel. 
The chief cause of corns is the irrational method of shoeing, which 
causes pressure at the seat indicated at A in the above picture. In the 
opinion’’of Professor Williams, “the ordinary seated shoe is the most 
irrational and insensate one which ever emanated from man’s brain. It isa 
mechanism which bears upon no rart of the sole, except upon the spot which is 
incapable of pressure. It is dished out, made concave all round the foot 
