744 
PROFESSOR SPOONER’S ORATION. 
peculiar arrangement of the bones of the knee which we meet 
with in the horse,— shewing also the non-necessity of the exist- 
ence of the splint, or small metacarpal bones. Here they are not 
to be found ; and they are not required, because of the great de- 
gree of yielding motion which exists from the singular arrange- 
ment of the lower part of the extremities of this animal. In the 
horse, however, considering his great weight and his single foot, 
— although we have, as Professor Coleman used to observe, 
perhaps five hundred springs on the inner surface of the wall, — - 
bearing in mind all this beautiful arrangement in the foot itself, 
and the elasticity of the hoof, yet it was also necessary that there 
should be additional elastic agents placed above ; and these are 
found in the bones of the knee, and in the development of what 
are called the small metacarpal bones. 
With reference to these bones, I must detain you a few 
short minutes for the purpose of alluding to the opinions of a 
very eminent physiologist ; for, with all due deference to him, 
I must contend that he is in error with regard to their use. Sir 
Charles Bell, in his excellent work on “ the Human Hand,” 
and whence the diagrams before you have been taken, attempts 
to shew that the use of the splint bones in the horse is merely 
for the purpose of acting as a lever, by throwing out the leg, and 
thereby mechanically assisting in its extension. He says nothing 
about the importance of these bones in bearing a portion of the 
superincumbent weight, and yielding to that weight, and thereby 
aiding the elasticity of the movements of the animal, which 
we, as veterinary surgeons, must consider to be all-important. 
If there is one thing more than another which is calculated to 
expand our views on physiological subjects, it is observing seri- 
ously and attentively the cause, progress, and general effects of 
disease. Now I believe it is admitted on all hands, that the 
affection called splent most commonly takes place in young horses, 
shortly after the fetter is applied to the foot and the additional 
weight placed upon his back, by means of which the elastic 
springs which unite the small bones to the large one are strained, 
and thereby the disease produced. I think, therefore, that it is 
thus rendered distinctly evident that these bones were intended 
for the purpose of supporting the weight of the animal, and yield- 
ing to that weight, rather than merely to operate mechanically in 
assisting in the extension of the limb forward. 
But with regard to shoeing, the exercise of this art is rendered 
necessary, from the fact of our employing the horse upon such 
roads as nature probably never intended him to travel upon ; and 
also from our placing a weight upon his back, or using him in 
various ways for the laborious duties of draught work. 
