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Translations and He views of Continental 
Veterinary Journals. 
By W. Ernes, M.R.C.V.S., London. 
Annales de Medecine Veterinaire, Bruxelles, Aout, 1862. 
HYGIENE OE THE EOOT OF THE ADULT HORSE. 
By M. E. Defays, Piofesseur de PEcole Veteriiiaire de Bruxelles. 
Under this title are comprised all the precepts to be 
observed so as to maintain the feet of the horse in the most 
favorable condition for the due performance of their functions. 
The author considers the foot, as accepted by zoologists, 
as not only the horny envelope or hoof, which covers the 
extremity of the limbs, and the tissues underneath it, but 
also all the parts between the coronet and the carpus or knee, 
in the one extremity and the tarsus or hock in the other. In 
giving it this extended meaning the best means have to be 
considered to keep the lower joints of the legs in the most 
favorable state for the execution of their several movements; 
to indicate the necessary precautions to prevent the alteration 
in the shape and volume of the hoof, and the best means to 
preserve its elasticity and resistance. 
All organic productions are subject to physical and die- 
mical laws. The hoof is to be considered as such, and is 
therefore susceptible to alterations of form and continuity 
of substance, and alteration in its consistence, &c. These 
alterations are capable of interfering with the a 2 )lomb (level • 
bearing), cause pain, impede the freedom of motion, and 
expose the animal to serious accidents. To prevent these 
baneful effects it became necessarv to submit the foot of the 
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horse to certain means of preservation. 
The hoof is, as every one knows, a production of the skin, 
unprovided with blood-vessels or nerves, and growing by juxta¬ 
position. It possesses from the birth of the animal all the 
necessary qualifications when the part which produces it is 
in a healthy condition, but as soon as this is out of order 
the product is modified and its condition changed. The 
hoof becomes brittle, or soft, according to the condition 
of the keratogenous organ (coronary ligament). The hoof 
is brittle in chronic founder, the frog is softened in con¬ 
traction, and it is liquified in the so-called canker. In 
