NAVICULAR DISEASE IN THE FEET OF HORSES. 
29 
assert, that the nearer the heels of the coffin bone, by the con¬ 
formation of the foot, reach the surface of the ground, the less 
likely is the navicular joint to become diseased, and vice versa . 
These instances are numerous in low heels and Hat soles; but 
when such weak, thin feet occasionally fail with navicular disease, 
the cause may be generally traced to a bruise from a stone. 
On this principle I account for the well-known fact of a cer¬ 
tain description of active horses, possessing little or no preten¬ 
sions to breeding, which appear exempt from contraction through 
life, resisting the constraint even of iron and nails.. Their escape 
is owing to peculiar conformation, not only of foot but of leg, 
possessing large flexor tendons, likewise peculiarity of action, 
being all flexion with very little extension (going diametrically 
the reverse of the blood-horse), with their knees up, and flat 
upon their heels. In fact, they are for ever on their flexors; and, 
therefore, I may almost say, never have navicular disease, except 
when it occurs from an accidental cause, such as a severe wrench 
from slipping the foot in a hole, or any other sudden violence. In 
all such cases contraction of the hoof is an effect. 
On the means by which the Coffin and Navicular Bones may regain 
their original stations , and be retained therein . 
Here, Gentlemen, in my humble opinion, has been the stumbling- 
block. It is known and admitted that the ancient, as well as mo¬ 
dern veterinarians, were successful in removing this lameness for a 
shorter or longer period; but books, both of the old and new school, 
abound with the fact of the too frequent recurrence of the disease, 
and its termination in permanent lameness. A most formidable 
barrier has been suffered to remain, which has rendered our skill 
abortive, even after we have removed the lameness and quelled all 
inflammation within the joint; for just here, too often, our exertions 
have ceased, having only subdued, though not crushed the ene¬ 
my ; that is, we have quieted the inflamed parts, but actually 
left them in the same state of dangerous encroachment on each 
other, as had before proved the predisposing cause of lameness: 
viz. the unnatural elevation of the navicular bone and heels of the 
coffin bone; therefore, a less assemblage of concurring circum¬ 
stances than before will be sufficient to establish another attack 
of lameness, and much less of the immediate or exciting cause 
after each succeeding attack. But, to speak more plainly, if one 
bustling trot over the stones from this place to Mile-End would 
not effect it, a very few journeys of that sort, in quick succession, 
would almost insure it. 
Nevertheless, these elevated coffin and navicular bones are not 
to be put down in the first instance by any compulsory measures 
