DEFINITION OF LAMENESS. ' 281 



two of the legs, as referred to in pairs, is denominated a biped. Of 

 the four points occupied by the feet of the animal while standing 

 at rest, forming a square, the two fore legs are known as the anterior 

 biped ; the two hinder, the posterior; the two on one side, the lateral; 

 and one of either the front or hind biped with the opposite leg of 

 the hind or front biped will form the diagonal hiped. 



Considering, as it is proper to do, that in a condition of health each 

 separate biped and each individual leg is required to perform an 

 equal and uniform function and to carry an even or equal portion of 

 the weight of the body, it will be readily appreciated that the result 

 of this distribution will be a regular, evenly balanced, and smooth 

 displacement of the body thus supported by the four legs, and that 

 therefore, according to the rapidity of the motion in different gaits, 

 each single leg will be required at certain successive moments to bear 

 the weight which had rested upon its congener while it was itself in 

 the air, in the act of moving; or, again, two different legs of a biped 

 may be called upon to bear the weight of the two legs of the opposite 

 biped while also in the air in the act of moving. 



To simplify the matter by an illustration, the weight of an animal 

 may be placed at 1,000 pounds, of which each leg, in a normal and 

 healthy condition, supports while at rest 250 pounds. When one of 

 the fore legs is in action, or in the air, and carrying no weight, its 250 

 pounds share of the weight will be thrown upon its congener, or part- 

 ner, to sustain. If the two legs of a biped are both in action and 

 raised from the ground, their congeners still resting in inaction, will 

 carry the total weight of the other two, or 500 pounds. And as the 

 succession of movements continues, and the change from one leg to 

 another or from one biped to another, as may be required by the gait, 

 proceeds, there will result a smooth, even, and equal balancing of 

 active movements, shifting the weight from one leg or one biped to 

 another, with symmetrical precision, and we shall be presented with 

 an interesting example of the play of vital mechanics in a healthy 

 organization. 



Much may be learned from the accurate study of the action of a 

 single leg. Normally, its movements will be without variation or 

 failure. When at rest it will easily sustain the weight assigned to it, 

 without showing hesitancy or betraying pain, and when it is raised 

 from the ground in order to transfer the weight to its mate, it will 

 perform the act in such a manner that when it is again placed upon the 

 ground to rest it will be with a firm tread, indicative of its ability to 

 receive again the burden to be thrown back upon it. In planting it 

 upon the ground or raising it up again for the forward movement 

 while in action, and again replanting it upon the earth, each move- 

 ment will be the same for each leg and for each biped, whether the 

 act be that of walking or trotting, or even of galloping. In short, the 



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