892 
CENTRAL VETERINARY MEDICAL SOCIETY. 
straight column would be productive of evil results. With regard 
to the observations of Mr. Clark, tending to the belief that the feet 
of horses assumed opposite forms when removed to localities ex- 
hibiting specifically different conditions, he (Mr. Hunting) could 
not coincide. A flat foot is unnatural everywhere ; it is designed 
that the plantar surface should be concave. Flat feet admitted of 
unequal and inordinate pressure, and the result is absorption of the 
coffin bone and loss of shape (external form). He agreed with the 
President in the microscopical structure of the hoof, but had heard 
no opinion that agreed with his own on the formation of horny 
tumours within the hoof, of which mention had been made before, 
nor yet one that decided the horny laminae, are decidedly secreted 
by the coronary cushion. The argument that they are sent down 
from above when the wall is stripped off, he contended, is without 
foundation, but rather that condition proves that the horn produced 
is direct from the sensitive laminae, as they are quickly covered by 
horn material. It is their natural function, he contended, and no 
structure can secrete in disease that which it does not in health. It 
is no proof that the wall and horny laminae are homogeneous from 
the fact that no separation can be produced by maceration ; the 
latter are undoubtedly secreted in a great measure by the sensitive 
laminae, hence the abundant blood supply to the latter, which would 
serve no purpose if they were mere weight carriers. Regarding the 
function of the frog, Lafosse had said it is to bear up the tendon 
above it. Tendons, however, are neither too long nor too short ; 
always have the proper length, and require no such support. Its 
function appears to be to receive and distribute shock, and reduce its 
effects over the limb. 
The President announced that Mr. James Rowe, junr., would 
read a paper at the meeting in January “On some of the Derange- 
ments of the Liver of the Horse,” after which a cordial vote of thanks 
was awarded to the essayist and President respectively, and the 
meeting separated. 
George Armatage, M.R.C.V.S., 
Secretary . 
