6 THE “ HORNY LAMINA.” 
these desperate cases ; sometimes I had two fresh cases a 
day, sometimes but one case a week ; rarely, however, would 
a fortnight pass without an accident of the kind happening. 
I had usually twelve or fifteen of these cases under my treat- 
ment at a time. This continued for years. Now, however, 
these railways employ capstans or windlasses worked by 
steam, and consequently these accidents have been avoided. 
I always pared, dressed, and bandaged the feet with my 
own hands. Inflammation, caries, quittor, open joint, were 
matters of everyday experience, and thus it was by close ob- 
servation that I have had the peculiar experience referred to, 
and an opportunity of satisfying myself over and over again, 
beyond the possibility of a doubt, that the horny laminae and 
hoof can grow and retain all their pristine vigour and com- 
pleteness when there exists not a vestige of vascular or sen- 
sitive laminae underneath. That the horny laminae retain 
their soft, moist, fresh, white, and perfect condition, notwith- 
standing they have not the slightest attachment at any point 
of the section to the tissues underneath, I have often wit- 
nessed. From the top to the bottom of the foot for one or 
two inches in breadth, these living horny laminae rest upon 
a perfectly smooth surface throughout the whole space. It 
appears to me that in some of these cases there is a fibro- 
ligamentous material or pad in the place of vascular laminae, 
which, in its minute structure, is very like, if not identical 
with, the fibro-ligamentous material or pad forming the base 
of the sensitive laminae, and covering the periosteum on the 
coffin-bone. Upon this pad is a bright, pellucid membrane, 
not much unlike in its hue to the tapetum lucidum ; and 
covering this is a greasy secretion which keeps the horny 
laminae and this smooth surface entirely separated the whole 
extent ; but on the surface of this pad there is not a vestige of 
sensitive or vascular laminae, not to the extent of a single 
line. I have seen this over and over again, therefore I know 
that I am speaking the truth. 
I am aware that it is the opinion of some men that horny 
laminae cannot be formed without sensitive laminae to give 
them form and nutrition. I held this opinion myself until 
the most convincing proofs came under my observation, and 
forced me to change views which had become utterly un- 
tenable. If it be any satisfaction to the gentleman to 
whom my remarks are specially directed, I may tell him I have 
studied this matter in my private room, with the aid of the 
microscope, and by its help 1 found that the wall and horny 
laminae, without the slightest attachment at any point with the 
vascular laminae, can live on and be vigorous and perfect. 
