THE 
VETERINARIAN. 
VOL. XXIV, 
No. 285. 
SEPTEMBER 1851. 
Third Series, 
No. 45. 
LAMENESS IN HORSES. 
By William Percivall, M.R.C.S. and V.S. 
[ Continued from p. 368. ] 
Contraction. 
CONTRACTION or hoof-bound means an anormal ap- 
proximation of the heels of the hoof, and mostly of the quarters 
as well. 
A NARROW Foot is not necessarily a contracted foot. Of 
hoofs in general the outline approaches nearer to the circular 
than to any other figure. Some horses, however, possess by 
nature oblong or ovoid feet, such as Arabs and Barbs, and 
Sicilian horses, and many of our thorough-breds. Mules and 
asses are never seen with any other description of feet. With 
this narrow form of foot are uniformly combined hoofs of exu- 
berant, strong, and tough fibre, high heels, and concave soles. 
Contraction may be general or partial. It is said 
to be general , when the quarters as well as heels of the hoof 
are involved : and in this case it very commonly happens, that 
the wall is straight or u pright in direction. Contraction is partial 
when confined to the heels. On rare occasions it is observable 
in one heel only; though commonly both are affected, and often 
the inner more than the outer heel. Sometimes one foot is con- 
tracted; sometimes both feet. The hind feet are not subject 
to contraction ; the reason for which will be by-and-by 
pointed out. 
Contraction is pure or mixed. Pure contraction exists 
without any collateral disease of foot; or, at least, without any in 
connexion with it. Mixed contraction is contraction accompanied 
by inflammation, or by one or other of its consequences. 
The Symptoms of Contraction may appear too obvious 
to need description. In some instances it certainly is manifest 
enough; but not in all. When one foot is contracted while its 
fellow retains its normal character, a comparison with the eye 
VOL. XXIV. 3 u 
