DISEASES OP THE SKIN 299 



the teamster, tlie good results following this practice warrant 

 it, which of course is the decisive feature. 



Inflammation of the Podophyllous Membrane 

 (Pododermatitis) . 



What anatomo-physiological facts are of interest in the surgi- 

 cal diseases of the pododerm ? 



This subject has been exhaustively dealt with in my work 

 on " The Clinical Diagnosis of Lameness of the Horse." The 

 reader therefore is referred to it for details. 



Generally speaking, the pododerm is related in its make-up 

 to the skin ; in fact, it is a continuation of the external cuta- 

 neous covering, the former not producing any hair or epider- 

 mis, but horn instead. The rete malpighi, which covers the 

 cutis proper, is strongly developed. The papillary body of 

 the cutis is exceedingly prominent, large papillae stud the sole 

 and frog and especially the coronary cushion. In the region 

 corresponding to the wall of the hoof the papillary layer is 

 enormously developed, represented by the primary and sec- 

 ondary laminae, which again are protected by a strong rete 

 malpighi. Composed of many vessels resting in loose connec- 

 tive tissue, the vascular layer is next to the papillary body ;• 

 the deepest layer ensheaths the os pedis, representing the 

 periosteum. The subcutis, the basis for all these layers, is 

 irregularly distributed. It is only found underneath the cor- 

 onary cushion, sensitive laminse of sole and wall (excepting 

 over the os pedis), fibro-cartilages, tendon of the extensor 

 pedis, and finally, although materially modified in shape, of 

 the plantar cushion. 

 What varieties of pododermatitis interest the surgeon ? 



The inflammatory processes may be acute and chronic. 



