THE 
VETERINARIAN. 
VOL. XLIII. 
No. 516. 
DECEMBER, 1870. 
Fourth Series. 
No. 192. 
Communications and Cases. 
THE STRUCTURE AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE 
HORSE'S FOOT. 
By T. D. Broad, M.R.C.V.S., Bath. 
In the November number of the Veterinarian Mr. Greaves 
propounded several questions on the structure and physi- 
ology of the different parts of the horse's foot, and I consider 
that some of the answers are very erroneous. Mr. Greaves 
states “ that the wall and horny laminae can be produced per- 
fectly when not a vestige of sensitive laminae exists underneath." 
I say that it is impossible. The sensitive laminae are not only 
essential to the formation of the horny laminae and wall, but 
also to their nutrition and function, for whenever the horny 
laminae become separated from the sensitive laminae the horny 
laminae become dry and crumble into a powder. The wall also 
becomes hard, dry, and condensed. The connecting substance 
between the sensitive and horny laminae is a secretion of non- 
fibrous horn cells, which is being constantly exuded from 
the surface of the sensitive laminae between the fibres of the 
horny laminae and the fibres of the wall, the outer portion of 
which is also being constantly supplied with this kind of 
material from the papillae of the coronary cushion principally. 
In case of separation of the horny from the sensitive laminae 
either from accident or disease, this secretion quickly covers 
and protects the sensitive laminae from injury ; it is a natural 
production, and cannot be termed an excrescence, or horn- 
tumour. 
“ Are the sole and frog destined by nature to bear pres- 
sure?" Yes, but not if allowed to be cut and carved in 
59 
XLIII. 
