PHYSIOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS ON THE FORE FOOT. H 
placed, the heel in that case would come in contact with the 
ground first, and the toe last. 
3. As to the anatomy of the foot. 
The foot is composed of the os pedis, os naviculare, and 
a small portion superiorly of the os corona. Between the 
alae of the os pedis we have the frog and the fibrous frog, 
in fact, a beautiful elastic cushion ; and postero-laterally the 
lateral cartilages, readily yielding on the application of pres- 
sure. Seeing this arrangement, I naturally seek to find the 
cause of its existence, and I suggest that it is there in order, 
by coming in contact with the ground, first to break the 
concussive effect, likely, if being hard and unyielding as the 
formation at the toe, to be productive of much cost to the 
animal frame. 
4. The progress of action is from the heel to the toe. For 
example, man, during progression, puts his heel to the 
ground first ; the ox also places his heels similarly on the 
ground first, and dogs bring their pads in contact with the 
ground first; does it not, then, seem undeniable, when 
reasoning by analogy, that the horse similarly brings his 
heels to the ground first ? 
During progression, the body moves forwards ; during 
which movement the toe, as evident to every observer, 
leaves the ground last, that is, when the flexors are con- 
tracting. If such be the case, then, for the toe to come in 
contact with the ground first, as some affirm, and the heel 
last, is a retrograde and impossible movement. 
Three principal impressions are made on the foot during 
progression: namely, 1. On the heel, when great expansion 
and yielding takes place, owing to the pressure on the frog, 
which is forced upwards, causing the ultimate expansion of 
the walls of the hoof, &c. 
2. On the middle part of foot, when the bones bear the 
weight of the body. The flexors and extensors being, for 
the instant, in a state of quietude, i. e ., neither of them are 
extending or contracting. 
3. On the toe, when the animal gives a push, by which an 
impetus is given to send the body forwards. 
The foot comes on the ground nearly flat, I admit, but the 
heel is for an instant on the ground before the toe. 
I humbly assert, in conclusion, that the progress of action 
is from the heel to the toe, and not from the toe to the heel. 
