ATROPHY OF THE PLANTAR CUSHION 
503 
“ Nothing is more common than to see the contraction of the 
feet coincide with corns and navicular disease .” Lafosse is just 
as positive, and says: “Incases of navicular disease the hoof- 
bound is so marked that the frog is scarcely seen at the bottom 
of the cavity on the plantar face of the foot, while there is union 
of the heels with an inflamed condition of the frog.” 
The symptoms obtained by the standing of the animal, are 
also common to both diseases: “ At rest the hoof-bound animals 
assume the same standing position as if suffering with navicular 
disease ” (L. Lafosse). “ In navicular disease the animal points 
with one, or alternately with both, if both are affected ; the rest 
on either foot is very short, the hind legs are brought under the 
centre of gravity, the back is arched, the decubitus is frequent. 
Coming out of the stable, the legs are stiff, feet are moved close 
to the ground, the shoulders are limited in their motions. After 
warming by exercise, the legs are supple, the shoulders more free, 
but as soon as the animal cools off, and especially after a hard 
day’s work, all the symptoms reappear more marked. The dis¬ 
ease and its consequences increase with time.” Such are, accord¬ 
ing to Lafosse, the symptoms of navicular disease. Are they 
not similar to those of the well developed hoof-bound ? 
The same analogy is observed in the course and results of treat¬ 
ment. “ In the first period, navicular disease is relieved if the 
animals are put to rest without shoes in a soft, damp ground- 
floor box stall, or turned out on marshy grounds.” When the dis¬ 
ease is well marked, the best modes of shoeing are the bar shoes 
or the slippers. “ The bar shoe, with a piece of leather, felt or 
vulcanized India rubber or gutta percha, will always be prefer¬ 
able.” Mr. Hey objects to the bar shoe, because the frog being 
atrophied, this shoe throws the rest back on the heels. 
M. Lafosse, we believe, is the first French veterinarian who 
attributed navicular disease to high or rapid action. He says : 
“ Would not the aptitude of animals used to rapid gaits be the 
physiological cause of that disease ? The frequency of it in front 
feet and the part these legs play in low motions, gives this ques¬ 
tion some foundation.” Hey, in 1865, adopts this idea, and 
amongst occasional causes he names “ the fast gaits, high jumps,” 
