THE 
VETERINARIAN. 
VOL. XLIII. 
No. 513. 
SEPTEMBER, 1870. 
Fourth Series. 
No. 189. 
Communications and Cases. 
OBSERVATIONS ON THE ANATOMY AND PHY- 
SIOLOGY OF THE HORSE’S FOOT. 
By George Fleming, M.R.C.V.S., Royal Engineers. 
(' Continued from p. 606.) 
Vital Appendages of the Foot . — We Lave now somewhat 
hurriedly, and, perhaps, in a manner superficially, examined 
the horse’s foot, so far as the bones, ligaments, tendons, 
vessels, and nerves are concerned. But in addition to these, 
it must be noted that there are textures and structures — 
f tegumentary’ as they have been termed — whose presence can- 
not be overlooked in the consideration of the anatomy and 
physiology of the organ, and which possess the greatest, inte- 
rest for, as they are held in the highest importance by, those 
who are chiefly concerned in its maintenance in health ; nor 
are they devoid of attractions for those who may only be 
studying the foot in order to discover the why and wherefore 
of its perfect adaptability to the various demands imposed 
upon it. 
Though in reality these parts constitute an essential por- 
tion of the foot, yet to facilitate their examination and avoid 
confusion, I have ventured to retain for them the designation 
of “ vital appendages” of that organ, constituting as they do, 
to some extent, a feature peculiar to solipeds. 
As these appendages have an intimate connection with the 
relations subsisting between the foot and the hoof, and as 
the welfare of the latter — and, indirectly, that of the horse 
itself — is closely allied to a proper knowledge of their situa- 
tion, structure, and role, we will devote a little more attention 
xliii. 44 
