MOGFORD ON CORNS IN HORSES. 
251 
a foal shewed symptoms of rupture : putting two glued strips with 
their ends terminating at each side of the swelling, and then stitch- 
ing them together, reduced it completely. 
I hope you will excuse my writing this letter, which I have done 
in a hurry, and which, perhaps, contains nothing but what is well 
known to you ; but, having tried this plan with success, I thought 
you would not be offended at receiving a hint even from a mere 
amateur. 
Your obedient servant. 
LETTER FROM MR. MOGFORD, GUERNSEY, ON 
CORNS IN HORSES. 
To the Editors of “ The Veterinarian .” 
Gentlemen, 
Probably many will attribute it to my dulness of apprehension, 
some to the limited range of my reading, others to the effect of 
preconception, but I acknowledge I have never seen the nature of 
corns explained to my satisfaction. 
May not the representations commonly received be traced, in 
part, to that association of ideas which would seem to assume 
that their origin must be ascribed to the same cause as that which 
occasions them in the human subject! It seems to me, the very 
appearance it bears in the animal indicates an effect in the pro- 
duction of which others than the cause generally assigned must 
have operated. 
It would not appear satisfactory, in my opinion, to say, that 
however fair the comparison between the two cases may be as far 
as the cause is concerned, it cannot be instituted as to the effects 
exhibited, the substance of the animal’s foot not admitting of that 
excrescence of which consists the injury our own flesh sustains. 
Be that as it may, I imagine that at some period in the process of 
formation there must have intervened more than simple pressure. 
Circumstances come under the notice of an attentive observer 
which, relatively considered, may somewhat elucidate the subject. 
The multiplicity of cases would go to prove that horses with 
upright bars and narrow heels are very subject to corns. Not un- 
frequently a horse will be very lame for a few days : suppuration 
takes place ; some matter subsequently escapes between the hair 
and the hoof, and, when relief has thus been obtained, the animal 
goes sound again. Let the shoe be taken off, and the foot be ex- 
