88 
OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS. 
itself. I believe it is a law in mechanics that a simple 
spring is not so liable to err as one of a complex 
character, and so it is in the animal machine. We must 
not lose sight of other arrangements in this particular 
part of the animal mechanism; for instance, we must well 
consider that the metacarpal bone, the suffraginis, and the 
coronal bone, are standing one upon another perpendicularly ; 
there is, indeed, not much obliquity at any part. We may, 
therefore, take it for granted that there must be considerable 
concussion, especially if the parts below are upright also. 
These reflections will guide us in some measure as to any 
opinions we may form when spoken to in reference to upright 
joints. On looking at the close connection existing between 
the metacarpal bones and the suspensory ligament, we can 
readily understand how an abnormal growth of bone must in¬ 
terfere with the even working of those parts (if carried to any 
extent), and more particularly at the setting up of inflamma¬ 
tion. We sometimes hear of the tendon being rubbed against 
by a splint and causing lameness, I am inclined, however, to 
believe that the parties who hold such opinions know but little 
of the subject upon which they are dilating. If we look closely 
at the suspensory ligament at its bifurcation, we shall remark 
that it is making its way towards the lateral portions of the 
sesamoid bones; that these offshoots become intimately 
connected with those little bodies, an arrangement which 
tends to hold them in position. Still, it can be seen they 
have play enough to go out of position, if forced. If any 
portion of the suspensory ligament, either above the bifur¬ 
cation or below, becomes materially injured, it must of 
necessity include some portion of this joint. It is the pe¬ 
culiar arrangement of the ligament, running, as it does, from 
behind the limb to the front, to form its attachment to the 
extensor tendon, which accounts for the fact that serious 
lameness is the result of a break-down of these particular 
structures; and it must be observed that when a limb is very 
upright, and the fetlock goes wrong, in many cases it will 
be found that inflammation will set in, and include all the 
structures found at this place. I have two specimens, which 
have been in my possession but a few months, taken from 
two young horses, both hunters, which are remarkable for 
what I have stated, viz., that all the parts connected with 
the fetlock-joints are diseased, more especially the bones; 
I will describe one case, which will suffice for both. A 
bay gelding, with upright pasterns, was ridden by a gentle¬ 
man (who was much too heavy and too hard a rider for so 
young and unseasoned an animal) for some months, when 
