38 
The climate and character of a country give habit and physical 
forms which often alter their constitutions and lead to differences 
of organization; the influence thus exerted on the limbs can be 
readily observed by comparing those of horses reared on low 
flat districts with those reared among the hills; the muscles are differ¬ 
ent and so are the form and quality of the hoofs, in both cases they may 
be sound and healthy and each one the best adapted for the locality in 
which they were produced, but when put to work, especially if on the 
.streets of our cities, the hoof of one will in all probability be found 
.softer and not so readily adapted to the changed circumstances. This 
also suggests the importance of knowing the kind of pasturing most 
suitable for different qualities of hoofs, and the effect which wet or dry 
seasons have on the same. 
* • 
A knowledge of the circumstances and physical conditions necess¬ 
ary to insure vigorous development and to maintain the limbs in health 
is of the highest importance not only to the owners of horses, but to 
veterinary surgeons and horse shoers also, for many of the diseases 
met with arise either from neglect or from the requirements of the 
animal being misunderstood and their prevention and even recovery 
can often be satisfactorily, accomplished by an intelligent change in 
their management and without the aid of other remedies. 
Boston, December, 1876. W. Brydeiv, V. S. 
COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED. 
AN UNUSUAL ACCIDENT. 
The subject of this accident was a bay colt 5 years old. I saw 
him taking his exercise in perfect health and condition, about 2\ 
P. M., March 1st-. About P. M., while on the street still at exer¬ 
cise, a wheel belonging to a grocery wagon ran on the front of the 
hoof of the near, left hind foot, fixing it firmly to the ground. The 
animal struggled violently to free himself, and succeeded by leaving 
the hoof behind and pulling out every tissue, bone, matrix, from the 
horn as nicely as a man would pull off a boot. 
This accident has an interest in a legal point of view. I was once 
a witness in a horse law case, where the animal had a foot injured by 
the crush or weight of a truck wheel; it was contended by the defense 
and that side won the case, that from the shape (angular or sloping 
sides) of the hoof it would be impossible for a wheel to remain on the 
hoof, but that it would slide off, or push the foot aside. 
This case proves the contrary; of course I had the animal shot. 
The hoof I have, and shall send it to the American Veterinary College 
Museum. 
Alfred Lxrge, M. D., M. R. C. V. S. L. 
