; .OGY LIBRWT .^^"^ \ i^^ r ^^^ '''^. A TREATISE ON THE FOOT OF THE HORSE, AND A NEW SYSTEM OF SHOEING, BY ONE-SIDED-NAILING ; AND ON THE NATURE, ORIGIN, AND SYMPTOMS, OF THE NAVICULAR JOINT LAMENESS, WITH PREVENTIVE AND CURATIVE TREATMENT. BY JAMES TURNER, MEMBER OF THE ROYAL VETERINARY COLLEGE, AND VETERINARY SURGEON IN THE ARMY. LONDON : PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR; AND PUBLISHED BY LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, GREEN, AND LONGMAN, PATERNOSTER ROW. 1832. COMPTON AND HITCUIE, PRINTERS, MIDDLE STREET, LONDON. 'Q ""■■■' L,4. ADVERTISEMENT. —*»%%9<^*— My views regarding the precise seat of the dis- ease in chronic lameness of the Foot of the Horse, have been, for several years, before the public ; and veterinary practitioners have since discarded the old and erroneous term of Coffin Lameness, and adopted that which is truly descriptive of this for- midable malady, viz. The Navicular Joint Disease. I am now induced to collect the papers on this sub- ject, which are dispersed through various numbers of The Veterinarian, together with my other papers in that Periodical, illustrative of the System of Unfettered Shoeing ; which system secures the ordinary defence to the foot, without confining the elastic hoof in its alternate expansion and contrac- tion, and affords facilities to the growth and full development of the organ, notwithstanding a con- tinued application of shoes to the two-years-old, or even yearling colts. iv adverti^:mknt. ll is my present purpose to collect them together, with additional important facts, in order that they may appear in a more convenient form, and serve as a Text-Book to a more enlarged icork on the Structure, Functions, Diseases, and Treatment of the Horse's Foot ; which, I shall venture, at no very distant period, to lay before the public, accom- panied with coloured plates descriptive of the healthy and morbid conditio7i of this important and very complex organ. I hope to demonstrate, that we may continue to have iron rivetted to the horse's foot, and yet pre- serve the necessary capacity of the horny box throughout the animal's life-time, together zoith the natural and expanded appearance of the external hoof. The confidence which I have gained since my papers were first published, the result of extensive practice and unwearied observation, has so confirmed me in the soundness of the several doctrines zchich I have therein laid down, that I do not hesitate to pledge myself to my prnfessioncd brdhrrn, that those data lolll J'orni the gromuhcork of my future labours in this intricate and interesting pursuit. ADVERTISEMENT. v Having considered that the papers on the Navi- cular Disease, as they appeared in The Veteri- narian, would he rendered clearer by the adoption of a more systematic arrangement of the matters contained in them, I have altered the distribution of certain passages, and also availed myself of the opportunity to add some few practical facts, which I have since observed. JAMES TURNER. Horse Infirmary, 311, Regent Street, Portland Place, June, 1832. CONTENTS. PAPER I. Page Manuscript transmitted to the Veterinary College in 181G 1 Navicular joint disease unknown as the general seat of chronic lameness of the fore feet 2 Contraction 3 Two forms of contraction 3 The general or apparent contraction 3 The occult or partial contraction 3 Insidious nature of contraction 3 Occult partial contraction a precursor to navicular disease 4 An exuberant growth of toe a primary cause of contraction .... 5 Deprivation of motion to the foot in the stable 6 Stationary position in the stall, a most prolific source of con- traction 6 Frog pressure considered 7 One of the uses of the fatty frog — defends the synovial or lining membrane of the tendon 8 Position in standing 9 The superincumbent weight boldly conveyed to the flexor mus- cles, characteristic of a good leg 9 Pointing of the feet — the weight conveyed or directed chiefly on the extensors — indicative of approaching disease 10 Importance of moisture to the hoof 10 Shoeing, a benefit and a bane 10 Displacement of the navicular and coffin bones II Unnatural arch and protrusion of frog within the foot 11 A highly elastic cushion degenerated into a rigid protuberance . . 11 The navicular joint, where situate 11 Navicular joint, its lining membrane crushed, constituting the essence of navicular disease 12 Viu CONTENTS. Page Navicular joint disease originates not so much from wear and tear as from rest 13 Coffin joint lameness, error of the ancient writers respecting it : the term become obsolete 14 Harmlessness of the g-eneral contraction compared with occult contraction 15 The navicular joint disease peculiar to the fore feet 15 Dreadful havoc of the navicular joint disease 15 Navicular disease of the most frequent occurrence 16 Importance of turning horses loose in the stable as a preventive of the navicular disease, appears to have escaped the notice of writers and lecturers 16 Foot of the horse designed by nature for almost perpetual motion 61 Some contracted feet capable of enduring hard work without lameness, accounted for 17 Salutary effect of weight and motion combined 18 Description of the diseased joint 19 Thick strong hoofs most predisposed to navicular lameness 20 Constriction of the hoof, and indentations 21 On the descent of the navicular joint 22 Great freedom of motion in the navicular joint observable in clever hacknies 23 Narrow heels not necessarily accompanied by lameness 24 Narrow heels, how avoided 24 PAPER II. The term navicular joint lameness recognized by the profession. . 25 Specious appearances of some hoofs 26 Diminished area of the hoof often concealed by a prominent exterior 27 Occult contraction of the hoof from below upwards, the most serious encroachment 28 Absorption of the fatty frog 29 Rigidity of the foot 30 Diminished elasticity without lameness 31 Loss of e(juilibrium or natural adjustment of the superincumbent weight 32 CONTENTS. IX Paste The precursor to navicular lameness .'33 Importance of remedial measures to this antecedent complaint . . 34 Cart-horses and horses of peculiar conformation and action almost exempt from contraction 35 Exemption from contraction, the reasons explained 35 Specific directions for opening' the foot 36 Abstraction of blood from the lame foot till the heart sympathizes 37 Excision of the inside quarter of the crust 37 Laxative medicine 38 Repetition of bloodletting 39 A loose stable with a saw-dust floor 40 Replacement or depression of the cofBn and navicular bones ... 41 On blistering 42 Setoning, &c 42 On Symptoms 43 Symptoms, difficult of description 44 Pointing of the feet not well understood by the public 45 False pointing, some horses conceal the act 46 Direct pointing 47 Importance of accurately comparing the lame foot with the sound one as to the exterior 48 Navicular joint disease at its commencement admitting of an easy and certain cure 49 On copious bleedings locally 50 Detrusion of the coffin and navicular bones 51 Liability of this disease to return upon the animal l)eing subjected to long intervals of confinement in a stall 52 Circumstances under which a cure will be the most certain .... 52 Chronic cases in some instances utterly hopeless 53 On neurotomy 54 On shoeing 55 Baneful influence of the nails 56 PAPER III. IMPROVED METHOD OF SHOEING. Case of contraction cured during exposure to hard and quick work on hard roads 57 Necessity of the repetition of means of cure every three weeks . . 58 X CONTENTS. Page A monstrous evil in the art of shoeing practised in every age and in all countries 59 One side only of the hoof being nailed, both quarters are at liberty to expand 60 The inside quarter of the foot notoriously the principal seat of disease 60 The circularity of the natural foot denied 61 Importance of preserving the bulge or prominence of the outside quarter of the hoof 62 PAPER IV. INEFFICIENCY OF MR. BRACY CLARK's TABLET EXPANSION SHOE. Injurious pressure of the tablet expansion shoe upon the heels and quarters 63 The joint at tlie toe of the shoe of no avail whilst the horse is standing in the stable 64 Side-nailinaf admits of the dilatation of the foot in the stable .... 65 PAPER V. THE ART OF HORSE SHOEING SIMPLIFIED AND UNFETTERED. Side-Nailing, a new era in veterinary history 66 IMr. Strickland Freeman, the first expounder of the true principle of elasticity or expansion of the foot 67 ]\Ir. Freeman's observations on the fettering effect of the nails upon the hoof 68 Evils of the method of shoeing, as adopted at the present day. ... 69 Instantaneous limitation of function of the elastic laminae 70 Partial or imperfect descent of sole 71 Freedom of expansion enjoyed by the unshod foot 7- Diminution of sensible and horny lamin<«, in direct ratio to their impairment of function 73 Encroachment of the horny sole, its preternatural arch 73 Capacity of the horny box diminished 73 IMorbid ascent of the collin bone, and corresponding adaptation of its shape by growth 74 The simplicity of side-nail shoeing in its practical application a great recommendation 75 The form of shoe 76 CONTENTS. Xi Papc Clips indispensable 76 Number of nails 76 Manner of introducing the nails 77 Paring of the sole 11 Experiments on colt's feet, in conjunction with side-nailing 77 The use of the drawing knife superseded 78 Spontaneous exfoliation of the horny sole 78 PAPER VI. Elevated position of the small pastern bone 79 Production of healthy and morbid specimens 80 Morbid phenomena, confirmatory of the author's views regarding the false position of the contents of the hoof 80 Displacement of all the bones of the foot 81 Reduction of the foot bones to their primitive stations, an import- ant part of the treatment for navicular lameness hitherto omitted 82 Organic disease preceded by long-continued functional disturbance 83 Emancipation of the foot from the iron fetter 83 New unfettered plan of shoeing, as received at the Royal Vete- rinary College 84 A model shoe forwarded to Mr. Professor Sewell 85 Reluctance to the admission of unfettered shoeing within the College 86 CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS. The importance of navicular disease much underrated by Mr. Bracy Clark 87 The author's opinion of Mr. Clark's works on the foot of the horse 88 Important pathological facts never before published 89 The importance of a minute investigation by the profession on the subject of morbid elevation of the foot bones 90 The descent of the toe or front of the coffin bone denied by Mr. Coleman as commensurate with its heels 91 Author's opinion that the coffin bone descends equally at all parts in the unshod natural foot 92 xii CONTKNTS. Pago The expansive principle taken on too limited a scale by Mr. Coleman 93 The coffin bone considered as a wedge and dilator of the hoof. . 94 Coffin bone, its perpetual motion the main preservative of the foot in a state of nature 95 Doubts of the author removed as to the eligibility of side-nailed shoeing' for hunters 96 Side-nailed shoeing apparently insecure 96 The manner in which tlie firm retention of the shoe is accomplished 97 Smoothness of the clenches after a month's wear 97 A started clench a rare occurrence 97 Displacement of the clenches a necessary consequence of the com- mon method of shoeing, explained 98 The side-nail system recommended for the cure and relief of corns 99 Hint to post and coach proprietors 100 The vast importance of side-nailed shoeing in racing establishments to the undeveloped and growing foot incalculable 100 The author's reasons for imagining that it will be honoured with a fair trial in the British cavalry 100 Signal advantage of the new method over the old in unfettering the foot whilst the horse is unemployed , 101 APPENDIX. Hints to breeders and proprietors of young horses designed for the turf 103-106 ON THE NAVICULAR DISEASE. FIRST PAPER; Veterinarian, Vol. II, p. 53. THE NAVICULAR DISEASE, OR CHRONIC LAMENESS IN THE FORE FEET OF HORSES. [Read at the Veterinary Medical Society, Dec. 24, 1828.] Gentlemen, I BEG leave to remark, that the paper which I am about to read, prior to that which is the subject of this evening's discussion, is the copy of a manu- script which I had the honour of addressing to Pro- Manuscript . . 1 A • T-» transmitted to fessor Coleman, and. likewise to the Assistant Pro- the Veterinary ' , College in 1816. fessor Sewell, of the Royal Veterinary College, as far back as the year 1816, on the subject of Groggy Lameness in Horses, with the view of inviting their attention to a very frequent cause of foot lameness, w^hich had never been adverted to by Professor Coleman in his lectures. I w^ish it, however, to be understood, that the original paper contains only a brief sketch of the impression which the first sight of the disease had B 2 ON THE NAVICULAR DISEASK. made on ray mind ; and although twelve years' ex- perience in active practice since that period have induced me to draw some other inferences, which may not exactly accord with the first impressions, yet they will be seen to harmonize in the aggre- gate*. I believe I am correct in stating, that before the year 1816, the College Museum, splendid as it then was, contained but a solitary specimen of the navicular disease, and which was simply a diseased Navicuiai joint navicular bone, divested of its ligaments and ten- disease Ull- 1 , T. «- >-M 1 1 1 known as tiie dou ; but Mr. Colcmau has, on several occasions f^eneral seat of i • i • i I chronic lame- gincc, caudldly acknowledged m his lectures, that iiess of the lore :; ^ o feet. j^g j^ad looked upon it previously to that time as a specimen of disease of a very rare occurrence. I shall, however, attempt to shew that it is a very prevalent disease, and that it is the general cause of the groggy foot lameness instead of the occasional, chance, false-step disease, which some of the very old writers on farriery are said to have described liearly a century ago. That they took only a super- ficial view of this truly formidable complaint, and altogether omitted to connect it with the general foot lameness, I think is ({uite manifest ; or surely I should not have it in my power to say, that not an * The importunt paper to which Mr. Turner here alludes, ami which, in our opinion, fully establishes his claim as the first person who broujjht this disease fairly under the notice of the profession, we are reluctantly compelled, by the press of other matter, to omit. It shall be inserted at an early o]>portunity. — EdUvrxaf The f'\tcrin(ii'iiin. ON THE NAVICULAR DISEASE. 3 aiitlior had reverted to it, from the very foundation of the Veterinary College, down to the period at which my paper on the subject was sent to that in- stitution ; and in which interval of time, Professor Coleman and Mr. Bracy Clark had immortalized themselves by their luminous works on the foot of the horse. In attempting to elucidate the nature of the navi- Contraction. cular disease, together with its causes, I find it ne- cessary to class contraction of the hoof under two Two forms of. heads : the one I would designate as general con- traction ; the other I must presume to call occult or partial contraction. By the former, I mean a foot with narrow heels, its figure presenting rather more an oblono; than a circular shape, with a "eneral di- '^'>'' seiH'-ai or . . . apparent. minution of its size and capacity. By the latter, occult or partial contraction, I ad- tho occult or •^ ' ^ ^ ' partial. vert to that treacherous kind of foot frequently to be met with, which upon merely inspecting in the stable, without viewing the action of the animal, we might (without any disparagement to our judg- ment) be induced to pronounce a good fair average foot ; and yet upon trotting the horse ten yards, al- though possessed of sound, clean legs, he might prove himself a decided cripple, ^vogigry, and in-i"'''''"":."i\- r rr 5 & OO^" tureof tlnsdis- curably lame. My own experience in the treatment of chronic foot lameness, since the year 1816, has afforded me opportunities of watching the causes, symptoms, B 2 east". 4 ON THE NAVICULAR DISEASE. and progress of the navicular disease under all cir- cumstances, over a hunting country, notorious for the destructi m of horses by its hills and flints, viz., Surrev. I have also seen the rava2:es of the disease during my practice in the army, and I know practi- cally the proportion of wear and tear arising from it in post and coach establishments. Close observation and repeated dissections have thoroughly convinced me, that the navicular joint is more or less diseased in every case of chronic foot lameness, where no ap- parent cause exists for such lameness, except con- traction. And as a large proportion of these cases of lameness exhibit contraction of the hoof or exter- nal foot, in a much less degree than hundreds of horses daily doing fast work on the hard road and in the field, notoriously sound, or at least free from lameness (many of whose feet might be selected as choice specimens of contraction), it occurs to me that this classification or division of contraction into two kinds is necessarily called for. To detect the existence of this insidious disease during life in its incipient state, the united tact, talent, and discri- ocruit partial miuatiou of tlic experieuccd practitioner are essen- pr"rui-fi,Irtona-//a/; for tlicrc arc many apparently fine, open- vicular disease. , , . n , ,v j \ -.i ^1 • 1 • * 1 * I ' jookino- teet anected with this compkimt, winch in reality are treacherous feet, concealing iVom the eye of a common observer a lurking evil, which is ge- nerally antecedent to the navicular disease : this is the occult partial contraction or pressure, the pre- cise scat of which 1 shall presently point out. ON L'llK NAVICULAR DISEASE. 5 In tlie course of this investigation I shall attempt to answer a question which has been considered by horse amateurs a great mystery ; a question which has been proposed by every horseman, but never yet satisfactorily answered by any man : it is this — How do you account for so many horses, with their feet much contracted, being perfectly free from lameness in the midst of hard work ? I propose, first, to shew what I conceive to be the primary and chief causes of contraction ; and, secondly, shall attempt to account for these instances of contraction, as being unaccompanied with lame- ness. Notwithstanding the conflicting opinions of our eminent veterinary writers as to the causes of con- traction, all seem to admit, that contraction of the hoof is more or less apparent in most horses which have been accustomed to be shod ; that it often hap- pens longbefore they have attained theirhighestvalue for work, and not unfrequently before they are five years old. On taking up the foot of an aged horse, we rather look for it as a necessary attendant ; but yet it cannot be denied, that a large proportion of these horses are perfectly free from lameness in the heart of labour. In contrasting the feet of our working horses (as An exuberant 1 • p 1 1 \ • 1 I 1 /• growth of toe enduring a state of bondage) with those leit to na- aiuimarycause .11 of contraction. ture, I am convinced that the lengthened toe, so often the accumulation of from four to six weeks' growth of hoof, is a very serious evil, and as great a 6 ON THE NAVICULAR DISKASK. violation of Nature's law as the common shoe or in- flexible ring of iron ailixed to the foot with nails, which, accordino; to Mr. Bracv Clark, is the onlv bane, 1 am led to this conclusion from observing that the unshod foot in a state of nature is never subjected to this restraint, as the daily wear keeps pace with the growth, and the heels w iden in proportion as the toe is shortened, and vice versa. 2dly, The next deviation from nature, and which I conceive to be the harbinger of the evil, is \\\^ims- Deprivation of slve statc to which the feet of horses are subjected motion to the , i i r> • i • i • foot in the by the usual mode ot tymg the animals to a post in a stable. 11 I • I • stall, which, even in a well-regulated stable, is fre- quently from twenty-one to twenty-three hours out of the twenty-four. Tliis, however, is not the worst, as it is by no means unusual for a horse to stand in his stall two or three days together, when not re- quired to work. If we calculate these vacant hours, and compare them with the very few that a horse in pasture is in a quiescent state (he being always in quest of the best herbage), we need not be surprised at linding. Stationary po- by the cud of a year, that certain important parts of sition ill the stiiii, a most the horny box have chano;ed their position and cha- prolilic soiiiTc o i of toiiiiaction. ractcr, from the deprivation of this natural pressure and motion conjointly. The particulars of (his I shall presently explain ; and I firmly believe, that, if every valuable horse in this kingdom were to be forthwith turned loose into a large box niiiht and ON THE NAVICULAR DISEASE. 7 day, besides the continuance at his ordinary work, it would prove the worst event for veterinary sur- geons that has ever yet happened in the horse world ; because it would tend more to cut off our supply of groggy lameness, and its attendants, than any cir- cumstance, or single cause, that has ever yet been published, or even named. 3dly, The absence of frog pressure is another cause. The frog is doubtless an important organ in preserving the natural form of the hoof; but I differ from those eminent veterinary authors who have urged, in opposition to our distinguished Pre- sident, Professor Coleman, that the frog cannot bear pressure, my experience having shewn me Frog pressure that it can ; and I have convinced myself, by re- peated experiments, that it can endure an extraor- dinary degree o^ protected pressure without injury to itself or other parts of the foot. I use the words protected or secondary pressure as a distinguishing mark from the frog pressure, which has been so long insisted on by Professor Coleman ; and, if I mistake not, this gentleman inculcates the necessity of the foot being shod with the frog exposed, at least, on a level with the heels of the shoe. Experience has convinced me, as well as Mr. Coleman, that frog pressure is both natural and be- neficial ; but I must admit, with many other prac- titioners, that, in the present improved state of our roads, the sensitive foot cannot sustain the shock 8 (JX THK NAVICULAR DISEASK. arising from the frog- receiving the repetition of vio- lence from the hard ground in an equal proportion with the heels of the shoe. I therefore advise that the frog be brought as near to the ground as possi- ble, except by so much of the heels of the shoe as may be necessary to break the force of concussion, and yet allow the frog to receive some part of the pressure, in a secondary manner, before the foot quits the ground. Oncoftiieusts I belicve, however, I am now at issue with the frog— defends Profcssor, wlicu I statc my conviction that one of the synovial or . . , . i • i i p i lining mem- its uscs IS to scrvc as a cushiou or elastic bed tor the brane of tlie . , . . tendon. navicular jomt to rest upon, not merely for the pur- pose of protecting the insensible flexor tendon, as Mr. Freeman states, but especially for the protec- tion of the line delicate synovial membrane lining the navicular joint, a web as exquisitely sensible, when inflamed, as the outer coat or conjunctiva of the human eye. There is another important function that the frog is intended by nature to perform, which, in the hands of art, it is seldom allowed to do, — which is, to act as an elastic prop of support when the animal is in action as well as stationary. It had its bold pro- minent figure for the purpose of afl'ording a larger basis to receive the weight, as by increasing the ground surface of the foot it relieves the flexor ten- don of a part of the burthen. Every unshod colt's foot (foals excepted), free from thrush, clearly evinces ON THE NAVICULAR DISEASE. 9 this. When all parts of the foot are in their natural state, this organ is pressed upon from above fear- lessly, including all that anterior portion of it which is influenced by the navicular bone ; whilst its pos- terior part, by touching the ground, ascends at the same instant, and acts as a spring, which not only pives the animal confidence in his action, but, when Position in O standing. standing still, emboldens him to convey a due pro- portion of his weight on his navicular bones, and to stand on his heels instead of his toes. This is the real characteristic of a valuable horse ; viz., stand- The supoirn- _ , I • • il cumljentwc'ii^ht mg firmly on his flexor muscles, thus givmg the boidiy convey- ' 1 1 1 1 1 • 1 ^x i^i edtothe flexor fore leo^, particularly the back sinew, that hbrous, muscles, dm- ~ ■■ ' ^ , racteristic of a tense appearance which is the attraction to the pur- good leg. chaser. The dealers in these valuable animals sel- dom omit to take advantage of such circumstances, and this indeed they are entitled to do, for, all other points concurring, a horse possessing such qualifi- cations is invaluable. I need scarcely remark how the reverse of this position must favour contraction. When the toe is allowed to grow long, the heels high, and the frog elevated, the softest part of the fatty frog becomes absorbed ; the horny frog no longer meets with its natural opponent, the ground ; and, consequently, other important parts lose their counter-pressure and support. This is clearly seen when a horse is first observed to be getting wTong in his feet, and often before either lameness ensues. 10 ON THE NAVlcrLAR DISEASE. Pointing of or that marked symptom of the disease, pointing f)f wcigiit ro.ivc)- the feet. If such a liorse be carefully watched in vd or (liifctcii ,. ,, ., . ., iii •iiir> i chiefly (.u the Iiis Stall, witliout bcmg disturbed, he will be lound f'Xteiisors— ill- . . diraiivc oi" ap- iiicliniii"' liis wcif^iit as much as possible on his ex- j)roachiiig dis- c^ o case. tensor tendons, and thereby relaxing the limb. Allowing the hoof to become hard, dry, and in- elastic, particularly the sole and frog, from the want of stoppings or emollients, a serious evil ensues ; but 1 think the degree of evaporation of the mois- imporianrp of turc of the hoof, arisiuc: from the heat of litter, has moisture to tiie ^ hoof. been much over-rated by Mr. Coleman and others ; and I coincide with Mr. Percivall, sen., that the clean straw beds usually given at the present day are perfectly harmless, rather suspecting, that the evaporation is occasioned by heat generated within the foot than applied from without. TVith regard to shoeing, as one of the causes, 1 believe all writers, ancient and modern (except the renowned Nimrod), are agreed by having desig- shoeing, a be- natcd it " a necessary evil." An evil undoubtedly it is of great magnitude, but it is also an inestimable benefit ; as, without this art, horses would be com- paratively useless in proportion to the excellence of our roads. The first pernicious consequence of contraction I have invariably observed to be a very gradual dis- placement of the navicular and co/Jin bones : they ascend within the hoof; but more particularly the navicular bone and heels of the colIin bone. This ON THE NAVICULAll DISEASE. 11 deviation from the natural position is not only obscr- Dis|,iaccnu>nt vable on dissection, but is quite as apparent in the and coitiu bouW living foot, by paring down to the quick those com- missures or channels between the bars and frog which will be found so morbidly deep, and take so much time for the knife to reach the quick, that a by-stander, ignorant of the nature of it, would be induced to remark that such a horse was devoid of blood in his foot. Exactly in proportion to this morbid concavity externally is the morbid convexity internally, and thus, with a fixed ascent of the frog, an unnatural arch is formed : the soft elastic parts ^;j"^;;.'™.'^|^i^J of the frog being absorbed, it becomes a rigid pro- °,Ie f^l'j;/''^''"' tuberance, and is the rock of danger^, on ivhich I am daring enough to assert that the most valuable horses have struck. This protrusion of frog within the foot is accompanied by an undue concavity of a hi^i.iy elastic . cushion de^e- sole and ri<>:idity of the bars. Ihe navicular bone neratcd into a ~ _ rigid protube- lies transversely across this projecting part of therauce. frog, with the long flexor or perforans tendon pass- ino^ under, and, by articulating with the bone, The navicular .... . . joint, where si- forms the navicular joint. The joint receives its tuate. share of the superincumbent weight from the small pastern bone, and with violence, in the ratio of ra- pidity with which the animal moves, and is re- quired to yield and descend in proportion to the impetus. It should also be remembered, that it is placed immediately under the centre of weight, which is conveyed in a perpendicular direction. 12 ON Till-: NAVICULAR DISKASE. ii.iinmginm- TIic occLilt 01' partial contraction abruptly op- c.rt.'tulinrti'''' poses the navicular bone in its descent, and thereby vicuia'dislase" crushes or bruises tlie delicate synovial membrane lining the joint, which suffers a mechanical injury from the very material which Nature bestowed as a defence, and which has degenerated into a hard, rigid, inelastic protuberance, no longer capable of yielding and expanding under the superincumbent weight. Nature has made ample provision to ward off concussion from these parts in the colt or un- shod foot ; for not only are the posterior parts much more elastic, as compared with the toe and sides of the foot, but she has also bolstered the navicular joint with two elastic cushions placed one on the other, and which, united, form such a hard and soft medium, as no human ingenuity could imitate ; the tough, though highly elastic, horny frog being op- posed to the ground, and the fatty frog encompas- sing the navicular bone and ilexor tendon, which are further shielded by elastic cartilages. Now, as all these parts, in a state of nature, preserve their elastic properties, they yield and give room for the navicular joint to play like a i)ullcy, without com- pression or restraint, in the most violent exertions of the animal. 1 am thoroughly satisfied, that, n hen contraction is accompanied widi chronic lameness, disease exists in the navicular joint, either structural or functional; and that this comi)lain(, at its com- ON THE NAVICULAR DISEASE. 13 niencement, is neither more nor less than a bruise of the synovial membrane lining the joint. Although it appears that some degree of violence is essential to the completion of this formidable dis- ease, yet I am convinced that it does not originate in wear and tear, from contact with either the roads onvinatos not of the former or present day : it has, in reality, its ^ea"' ami tear ... , f^ • ,"• 1 ] J •* +1 as from rest. orio-m m rest. It is certamlv enoenuerea m the stable, but becomes permanently established by sudden violence out of the stable : and I have fre- quently observed, that, under peculiar pre-existent circumstances, a very moderate proportion of exer- tion on a hard road or stones has been quite suffi- cient. Two or three severe days' work in succes- sion, immediately after long continued confinement in a stall, and the hurried pace and distance united, would compel the animal eventually (though per- haps reluctantly) to convey his weight abruptly, and with considerable force, on this obstructing body formed by a fixed elevation of the frog in conjunc- tion with a morbidly thick sole. I believe Mr. Coleman is of opinion, that a de- fective secretion of synovia is the first derangement of the navicular joint : this I take to be merely se- condary, and for this reason, that I have uniformly found the navicular joint sound, and containing the due proportion of synovia in feet, however much contracted, which had always been known to have been free from lameness. The bruise and conse- 14 ON THE NAVICULAR DISEASF. qiient inllammation liappen either to the synovial inenibiaiie lining the flexor tendon where it articu- lates with the navicular bone, or to the synovial membrane covering the corresponding surface of the bone. To prove the decided character of this disease, I can confidently aflfirm, that it is uniformly confined to the under surface of the navicular bone, where it articulates with the flexor tendon, and never afiects its upper articulating surface, where it assists in forming the coffin joint with the coffin and small pastern bones. I have frequently seen, in long standing cases of the navicular disease, not only all the cartilaue of the inferior surface of the bone ulcerated, but also a material part of this small bone absorbed — indeed almost annihilated ; and yet its upper surface, just described, sound, with the cartilage entire, and sy- Coffin joint novial membrane (juite perfect. The truth is, that, of the anckntin thcsc cascs of groggy or chronic foot lameness, inj^it: theterin tlic coffiu joiut is ncvcr affcctcd ; and I would con- become obso- lete. fidently assert that it never has been aflfected, ex- cept in those occasional instances of extreme vio- lence which may have been tantamount to a fiac- ture, and terminated in leaving the leg and foot to- gether a mere stump, by a general anchylosis of all the joints below the upper pastern. Now to return to the important fact, daily and hourly before our eyes, of the soundness of many fast-working horses whose feet are contracteil. [ ON THE NAVICULAR DISEASE. 15 conceive, that for any one of those contracted feet to be free from lameness, unaffected by quick work, the progress of the contraction must have been as gradual as the process of nature in the renovation or formation of parts, by constant, though impercepti- ble, absorption and deposit. The living or sensitive parts of the foot have, by decrease, adapted them- selves to the diminished capacity of the insensible horny box ; and that this frequently occurs without pain to the animals is evident by their perform- ances, and their situation is by no means analogous to the human foot when distressed by a tight shoe. I therefore draw this inference, — that qeneral con- Hamiessness •^ of the general traction of the horse's foot may take place to a o^reat contraction ••' *■ o compared with extent with impunity; but that it is the partial "^^^1^'-'^°^^^''^'^' contraction or morbid pressure on the navicular joint which is the root of the evil. With regard to the harmlessness of general con- traction, abstractedly considered, I think I am suffi- ciently borne out by the thousands and tens of Tl'*" navicular ^ ^ joint disease thousands of contracted hiyid feet, which have al-r^"l.'*V *^® ' tore feet. ways carried their share of the burthen to the end of many a horse that had never received or required the veterinarian's skill. No man has ever been heard to bewail the loss of his horse from being groggy behind ; but I will venture to assert, that the public have sustained a greater loss of valuable horse-flesh from the havock ^}^ ''i^^!"^ o dreadiul. of this disease alone in the fore feet, than from all IG ox TIIK NAVICULAR DISEASE. A di-iease ot tliG cataloguc of (iiseascs to wliicli the limbs of qu nt occu'i- liOFses 3.16 liable, not excepting- even the wear and reiice. tear of sinews. It will be recollected that I set out by expressing an opinion, that the custom of confining horses by the head in the stable for davs and nights too:ether, uu^^u^^Z^L ^v^*^ productive of the chronic foot lameness. Al- stable a" a'Jro- ^^^ough, as far as I am aware, writers on the foot (lil'ease, ^ip-"" havc ouiittcd to remark on this deviation from the e^apeci°the''no- natural habits of the animal, yet 1 am inclined to ami lecturers, attacli great importance to it, and fearlessly assert that it is one of the chief primary causes. If I were asked what I thought mainly preserved the horse's hoof, in a state of nature, from contrac- tion, even to old age, I should say, the perpetual motion to which it was subjected by the natural habits of the animal in grazing; by which is pre- served a constant alternate descent and ascent of Foot of the the coffin and navicular bones within the hoof, liorse designed ' ahnS'perpe- ^^^^^ ^^^^ salutary impression of the superincum- tual motion. j^^j^j. ^^^ifrht. o I shall now attempt to shew in what manner so many contracted feet in daily work escape lameness ; but I am referrino^ to such feet only as are con- tracted, and have been known alvvavs to be Iree from lameness, and they continue to escape until the general contraction becomes accompanied with the partial contraction before described, which, by compiession immediately on the naviculur Joint, ON THE NAVICULAR DISEASE. 17 obstructs the function of that important and com- somoconfiict- plex part of the foot ; and this partial contraction of emiu'rins' ^ (,. , t f p n • j1 1 liard WDrk with- is oiten prevented irom toliovving tlie general con- out lamemss, ... - . accounted for. traction by a combmation oi circumstances, some- times the result of chance, and the contraction of the hoof remains harmless. But the absence of the evil is more commonly to be attributed to diligent attention to the foot, and general care of the animal, by economically making the most of a space in which Nature's limits are already infringed upon, and thereby the impending danger averted. This is' mainly accomplished by the aid of a loose box, enabling the horse to continue the foot almost in constant motion. I know that it will be urged, that, as those horses which are confined so many hours out of the twenty- four in their stalls, are not allowed to lie down ex- cept for a few hours at night, these parts being placed perpendicularly under the weight, must re- ceive their due proportion of pressure, so that con- traction cannot accrue from this cause. This, how- ever, I deny ; for the superincumbent weight alone, unaided by frequent motion, is not equal to con- tend with the frog, the sole, and lengthened toe of a good, firm tough foot, with the accumulation of four or five weeks' growth, in mechanically squeez- ing them down: for unless these parts are subjected to this motion almost continually, rigidity ensues; and then the first time the animal is hurried a little 18 ON THE NAVICULAR DISEASE. Salutary effect beyoiicl liIs pacG Oil a hard road, a bruise is the con- of weiVht and -, -i • > i i- i i motion com- scquence, and lameness is established. It is evident that, in the inactive state of the horse, the limbs have no other weio-ht to sustain than the mere gravity of the superincumbent matter, each limb supporting only its share of the burthen ; but when the animal is in motion, not only is the pres- sure increased, but the entire weight of the fore quarters, with the head and neck, being alternately conveyed to each fore foot separately, a more fa- vourable impression is made by that weight, and thereby the partial contraction is prevented. This view of the matter, I flatter myself, will be gratifying to the intelligent and observing Nimrod, whose remarks on horses' feet have been much questioned and scrutinized, because his practical experience has taught him to be wholly indifferent about those contracted hoofs, in which the small bone of the foot is sound : he ridicules the compres- sion on the great bone, the coffin, because there is no joint cramped, and therefore no lameness. He is forcibly struck with this, from the variety of navicular specimens I have had the gratification of shewing this distinguished character of the sport- ing world : he well knows that many a five-hundred- o'uinea-hunter has sunk, to rise no more, down to fifteen in a very short space of time, from the ravage of the navicular disease alone. In some instances, this direful malady occupies no more space in the ON THE NAVICULAR DISEASE. If) animated machine than a pea would cover, or tlie decayed part of a hollow tooth would exhibit. This destructive malady has, on a late occasion, been emphatically expressed, " The curse upon good horseflesh." I have dissected all the groggy feet that I have been able to collect, and have found the navicular joint diseased in every instance. Description of the Diseased Joint. This joint is formed by the navicular bone and the flexor tendon, where the tendon articulates with the bone, being a circumscribed cavity, which is abundantly supplied with synovia, or joint oil, to lubricate and prevent friction between the internal polished surface of the tendon and the smooth car- tilao^e coverino: the navicular bone. The advanced stasfe of the disease is a total de- struction of the joint, and which is so completely disorganized, that it can no longer act as a joint. There is not a drop of synovia to be found in it. The cartilag-e coverins; the navicular bone next the tendon is either entirely absorbed, or else in a com- plete state of ulceration ; and the corresponding surface of the flexor tendon, which was before as smooth as the hio;hest polish, has now become Description of ® _ ^ , , the diseased rouo:h, and the delicate and sensitive membrane J°'"t- lining it, abraded ; and inmost cases of long dura- tion there is a strong adhesion of the tendon to the c 2 20 ON TPIE NAVICULAR DISEASE. navicular l)onc. When this adhesion, or morbid insertion of the tendon into the bone, is present, there is generally, exclusively of the loss of carti- lage, a diminution also of the navicular bone itself, leaving a hole in its centre formed by absorption. In the earlier stage of the complaint, there is a deficiency of synovia, but not a total absence of it ; the secreting or synovial membranes highly in- flamed ; an absorption of part of the cartilage of the inferior surface of the navicular bone, more parti- cularly in the centre ; and a roughness of the cor- responding surface of the tendon. At this crisis there is only a slight adhesion of the tendon to the bone. In very recent cases I have not found the tendon adhering to the bone, but I have invariably perceived a lesion or abrasion of a small portion of synovial membrane from the tendon, and generally that part of it which is opposed to the centre of the bone, exhibiting small streaks or shreds in the tendon ; whilst the cartilage covering the corresponding part of the bone has appeared discoloured. Thick strong This discasc more especially attacks that very di*spos( mi\o na- foot wliicli wc are in the habit of calling a strong vicular lame- , i oi /« i i n i i ness. one, where the iibrcs of the horn are nrm and touo-h, the toe thick and round, the wall or quarters strong, and high at the heels ; the bars strong and deeply buried in the foot ; the sole thick and concave. Such a foot is not so much disposed to a})proxima- 1 ON THE NAVICULAll DISEASE. 21 tioii of the heels as it is to the occult or partial con- traction. A slioht stricture is observable round the middle Constriction of ° the hoof, and of the crust, or towards the upper part. When i'ldtntations. this is not present, there is invariably an indentation or slight falling in of one quarter, generally the in- side quarter, though I have observed this on the outside. With regard to ossification of the cartilag-es of the foot, and ossification of portions of the ligaments of the navicular bone, and other bony excrescences within the foot, I would remark, that, having dis- sected so many extreme cases of chronic foot lame- ness of some years' standing, in which I have found all the ravages of this disease limited to a space within the joint not exceeding half an inch square, and unaccompanied with the shghtest disease of any other part of the internal foot, I am induced to con- sider them as mere effects arising out of the navi- cular disease ; and more particularly, as there arc far more groggy feet without the slightest ossifica- tion of the lio^aments of the navicular bone than with them. In short, I think those who have recently described the navicular disease an ossification of the joint, have erred very much ; for it is any thing but an excrescence or exostosis, a great loss or absorption of bone being, in fact, the malady : yet I must ac- knowledge that I have occasionally seen, in recent cases, a few small eminences on the inferior surface 22 ON THK NAVICULAR DISKASE. of tlic centre of the bone, about the size of millet seeds ; but, in the progress of the disease, not only would they have been absorbed by friction, but that portion of bone itself on which they appeared would also have been carried away by ulceration. REMARKS. It affords me no slight gratification, tliat my ex- perience in the feet of horses, as far as it has yet gone, enables me to bear testimony to the truth of very many important points on the foot of the horse, as promulgated by that eminent head and father of our science. Professor Coleman : although I differ from him in practice ; and, with respect to the phy- siology of some important parts of the foot, I must also somewhat differ from the same hioh authority. Mr. Coleman says, that the navicular bone is very limited in its action ; and necessarily so, first, by the shortness of its ligaments, which confine it to the coffin and small pastern bones ; and, se- condly, by being so closely bound by the flexor ten- don, just previous to its insertion into the inferior concave part of the coffin bone. On ihr descent I am of opiuion that the navicular ioint, beins: a of the navicular , . . , , ,. joint. double jomt, adds much to the complicated me- chanism of the foot ; and as the end of all joints is motion. Nature certainly intended it to have con- siderable action, although its sphere of motion op- pears very limited. ON THE NAVICUIAR DISEASE. 23 With regard to its short Hgaments, it must be re- membered that it is never required to descend, ex- cept in connexion with the small pastern and coffin bones ; and, therefore, even viewed as a process of the coffin bone, the shortness of the hgaments is in favour of its descent. As to the binding appearance of the expanded part of the jflexor tendon, this does not, in reahty, impede its descent, because, at the instant the na- vicular bone descends under the weight received from the small pastern, the fibres of the flexor per- forans muscle are relaxed, and consequently the muscle and tendon are elongated. I wish it particularly to be understood, that I as- Great freedom . ^ P 1 p -• • ^1 • 1 of motion in the cribe this great ireedom or action in the naviculamavicuiar joint 1 • 1 I observable in bone only to very sound and good-actioned horses ; clever hackuies and, to use a horseman's phraseology, the choice- gifted hackney, which is said to put his heel down as freely as his toe. Riding men know — what the driving men are not aware of — that it is this sort only which is lit to ride. Now, let us suppose a narrow-heeled horse (one whose feet are somewhat contracted, or suspicious as they are frequently called, but yet known always to have been free from lameness) to be loose in a large box, except during his two or three hours' daily work, which we will say shall average from six to ten miles an hour ; let such a horse have, in addi- tion to the indulgence of a well-strawed loose box, — first, a groom who will periodically use the stopping 24 r)X TIIK NAVICULAR DISKASE. box ; secondly, a thouglitfiil, steady master ; thirdly, a farrier who will carefully shorten the toe, lower the heels, and pare the sole to a nicety, at the ex- piration of every three weeks ; but this farrier must also be an artist sufficient to make a seated shoe of an equal thickness heel and toe (which latter may be slightly elevated), and he must secure the shoe by nailing all round the toe, and avoiding the inside heel, and even the quarter. Narrow heels I am couviuced that a sound horse with narrow accompanied ^ heels (if managed in the way I have just described) by lameness. ^ n p xl 'IT i. may be preserved tree irom the navicular disease to the latest period of life. By taking all these precautions, with the continu- ance of gentle motion in a loose stable, the hoof How avoided, will bccomc clastic, and its elasticity be preserved : the sole and bars, not acquiring an undue thickness, will be at all times susceptible of the natural im- pression from the coffin and navicular bones, and will yield under the superincumbent weight, and give room for the navicular bone and tendon not only to descend obliquely backwards, but also leave free space for the back action or pulley-like motion of the tendon against the bone at the instant the flexor pcrforans muscle, by its powerful contraction, lifts the foot again from the ground. Thus the par- tial pressure or contraction on this important joint ])cing prevented, the general contraction of the hoof is rendered comparatively harmless. 25 SECOND PAPER; Veterinarian, Vol. Ill, p. 24. THE SYMPTOMS AND CURE OF NAVICULAR DISEASE IN THE FEET OF HORSES. [Read at the Veterinary Medical Society, December 4, 1829.] Gentlemen, In the month of December of last year, I had the honour of reading to this Society a paper explana- tory of my views regarding the nature of the navi- cular disease, or chronic lameness in the fore feet of horses, together with the causes of that destruc- tive malady. The method of treatment and cure is the object of the present paper for this evening's discussion. This very prevalent complaint, commonly called The term, navi- III . nilar joint ffrosfffv lameness, has been shewn to exist aene- lainmess, ,e- 11 • .U -1 • • . J I .U- 1 T .'osvi-edbythe rally m the navicular joint ; and 1 think 1 may pioitssion. safely assert, that the term navicular lameness has now become as current among veterinary practi- tioners as cotiin lameness used to be among the ancients. Although dissection generally affords satisfac- tory evidence of the seat of disease, yet it does not as uniformly serve us in tracing its causes, the in- vestigation of which is generally involved in more 26 ON THE NAVICULAR DISEASE. obscurity, and consequently is too often speculative. But with respect to the probable causes of the dis- ease in question, I think there is as much light elicited by the dissection of the morbid specimen as we could desire. Commencing with the ground surface of the horny frog, and unfolding, layer by layer, all parts, until we arrive at the carious sur- face of the navicular bone, there will be presented, at one view, that which not only fully explains all the phenomena of the disease, but suggests to us the method of cure, and even points to a rational mode of shoeing. I beg to observe, that in my former paper I un- dertook a sort of classification of contraction, or ra- ther its division into two kinds ; the one under the designation of simple or general contraction, such as the narrow-heeled foot with lengthened toe, so very prevalent, and obvious to the common observer; and which is frequently seen unaccompanied with lameness, and even sometimes remains harmless throuoh a lono; life of hard work. The other I have called the occ?(/^ or ^jar//a/ contraction, which is one of the most insidious diseases to which the horse is sprcioiis np- subject ; and so specious is the exterior of such a pparaiiccs of ' , . fcoiiie hoofs, loot, tliat none but a most experienced eye would discover the existence of any disease, unless at- tracted to it by an accompanying lameness ; cir- cularity, solidity, compactness of fibre, and an un- usual appearance of strength, being its characteiis- ON THE NAVICULAR DISEASK. 27 tics. The heels are high, the sole strong, and the crust thick, particularly at the toe ; but it sometimes loses its due proportion of obliquity, and becomes rather more upright than natural. There is, how- ever, a more certain indication which usually pre- sents itself; viz., a falling in of the inside quarter, or slight indentation about the middle of the crust towards the heel : this sometimes assumes the ap- pearance of a stricture, in a slight degree, all round the crust, and occasionally two or three of these strictures or rings are apparent. Thus much may be observed without the removal of the shoe ; but the protrusion of the frog within the foot (adverted to in my former paper), together with the morbid concavity of sole, may not be dis- coverable till the drawing-knife has been exten- sively employed, not only on the sole, but in exca- vatino; those channels or commissures on each side of the frog, between it and the bars. An inordi- Diminisiied nate growth of sole and other parts of the foot, by oi t.u concealed presenting prominent suriaces, too oiten conceal exterior. from our view the encroachments and consequent diminution of the horny cavity. The outer surface of the sole of such a foot sometimes resists the drawing-knife like a stone, from its excessive hard- ness. I contend, that the navicular joint disease is ge- nerally, though not always, preceded by one of these contractions of the hornv box. It raav be the oe- 28 ON THE NAVICULAR DISKASE. neral contraction first described, or this occult par- tial contraction. « There will be found an ascent of the coffin bone within the hoof, occasioned bv the contraction : it is the elevation of this laro-er foot bone w hich neces- sarily puts its small companion, the navicular bone, in jeopardy. I say, necessarily ; because they are so closely knit together by ligaments, that the smal- ler bone bears the resemblance of a process to the larger. occuiicontrac- The occult contractiou is chiefly to be dreaded tion of the hoof „ i i • from below up- lor thcsc obvious rcasous : it occasions a more par- wards, tiie most • p 1 • 1 • • serious en- tial prcssurc, is Irequently more rapid in its pro- gress, and, by operating principally from below up- wards, has a greater tendency to elevate the colfin and navicular bones. On the contrary, the simple or general contrac- tion is a more lateral compression, and so slow in its encroachment, that it affords, perhaps, one of the most striking; instances in the animal creation of Nature's resources, when contendino' against hostile agencies, if she is not too abruptly violated. This is completely verified in the contracted foot of an old hard-worked horse, free from lameness. Na- ture appears to have had time to atlapt herself to the change, without inflammation being iiiiliiced, in that degree, however, sufficient to occasion pain. The most obvious efl'ect of contraction, whether of the simple or occult kind, appears to be absorption ; ON THE NAVICULAR DISEASE. 29 viz., the pulpy substance, commonly called the fatty frog or elastic cushion, becomes in part absorbed. The cartilaginous or reticular portion, being a , harder body, remains ; therefore, it still retains its form in a condensed state, and is yet an elastic sub- Absorption of stance, although degenerated into a hard bed in- '^ '' ^ "^"^ stead of a soft one. Thus it is that that portion of the main back sinew of the leg, the flexor perforans tendon, where it forms the navicular joint, is no longer embedded in such an elastic medium as would defy all human ingenuity to imitate, which was the original and healthy condition of the fatty frog. The dilapidated state of this spring affects the elasticity of the posterior parts of the foot in other ways besides the resistance it opposes to the navi- cular bone in its descent ; for I believe the fatty frog, as it is called, to be an organ which performs several important functions, as regards elasticity alone, and that there is an additional reason for the larger half of this elastic mass being placed poste- rior to the navicular joint, besides that of expand- ing the lateral cartilages from its continuity. For^ when we consider the extensive pulley-like motion between the tendon and the navicular bone, and that all the upper part of this pulley-like surface, from the oblique position in which the bone is placed, could not be benefitted by a spring imme- diately under it ; and taking also into the account, 30 ON THE NAVICULAK DISEASE. that the navicular bone, in its descent, must incHne backward, in unison with the motion of the cofTm bone, it follows, that a soft pillow was as much re- quired at the back as at its base : and, indeed, a more extensive one, as the back part of this surface presents a larger space than the inferior. Notwithstanding all this difference between the soft bed and the hard one, still it cannot be denied that there are many thousand horses in this country so circumstanced, which travel perfectly free from lameness ; though I much doubt if any one of them retains the full degree of elasticity in action which he originally possessed. But the absence of lameness is by no means a proof of the harmlessness of this antecedent dis- ease ; for the navicular joint of such a foot, although sound as adamant, and its surfaces polished like ivory, and duly lubricated with synovia, is in jeo- pardy, and only requires two or three more concur- ring circumstances to effect a lesion w^ithin its de- licate organization ; and this frequently happens instantaneously. Rigidity of foot^ I couccivc that the rigidity of the posterior parts of the foot (the navicular joint not having suffered any injury) conveys to the animal the sensation, not of pain, but merely slight restraint or compression, which is attended with a corresponding want of confidence, that induces him to give an undue bias to the weight towards the toe or front of his foot ; ON THE NAVICULAR DISEASE. 31 the lamlnan of the fore part of the coffin bone sus- tainins: the burden, while the navicular bone and heels of the coffin economically receive only so much of the superincumbent weight as the degenerated harsh spring may be able to dispose of; and there- fore a condition of the foot is produced ichich ap- proaches to disease. Thus, I think, may be solved the greatest of all mysteries regarding excellence in the movement of this incomparably useful animal, viz. that a valuable horse, highly gifted with action, and in the prime of life and spirits, suddenly ceases to convey to the rider that indescribable pleasant sensation which had always before distinguished him from common horses ; his action becomes li- Diminished elasticity -with- mited in his slow paces without any apparent cause ; out lameness. and yet his mode of going might defy the compe- tent veterinarian to pronounce him lame, although brought cool from the stable on the pavement ; and the owner is the more perplexed, in proportion as he himself attempts to ascertain the cause. If the horse happens to be a fast trotter, he tries him for a spirt ; and is impressed with the idea that he never performed his mile in less time in his life. If, instead of a trotting horse, it be an accom- plished hunter, he returns from the chase, and ex- claims in ecstacy, " We have gone the best pace without a check, and he has carried me brilliantly !" when, perhaps, on the preceding day, he had ridden him five or six miles, at a walk or slow trot, and re- 32 ON THE NAVICULAR DISEASE. turned thoroughly disgusted with him ; for, instead of performing with liis wonted grace and elegance in a firm, flat step, not only regardless of the weight of his rider above, but equally as independent of the stones below, he shuffled, broke frequently from the walk into a jog, dropped occasionally, and now and then dug his toe or pegged it against a stone, a failing before unknown with this faultless animal. Under these inauspicious circumstances, the style of his slow trot, to a by-stander, would appear only on a level with that of a sound horse possessing merely the ordinary degree of action, so that the owner would be the only person aware, from his knowledge of the previous merits of this animal, that he had lost any thing. Now, you will natu- Loss of equiii- rally ask. What has he lost .? I answer, the equili- brium or na- _ . » i • /■ t turai adjust- 07'ium OF natuval admstment of the superincumbent ment of the su- , '^ J J. perincumbent iceiqht, the lamincB in front of the coffin bone sus- taining an undue proportion, whilst the function of the laminated structure of the bars and heels is limited, or partially suspended. Hundreds of horses, and even young ones, are annually sold in London as sound which have suffered this deterioration, in defiance of the most scrupulous examinations as to soundness. Now you will contend that, in the case I have proposed, of the horse being capable of trotting at the rate of twenty miles an hour, or being a weight- carrier up to the fleetest liounds, that he must pos- ON THE NAVICULAR DISEASE. 33 sess elasticity : — granted ; but the question is, not what he now has, but the degree of elasticity he once possessed ; and we can judge of perfection only by comparison. Even a confirmed groggy horse, incurably lame, might be selected to accomplish one or other of the feats I have just mentioned ; though I must acknow- ledge it would put in requisition the rare remains of one of Nature's masterpieces : still such a de- scription of horse is to be found. It therefore appears, that an incipient defect of this kind may, under certain circumstances, alter the animal's action without occasioning lameness; and that a horse, either of breeding or of good met- tle, when called into quick movement, has his ener- gies so far excited as to be totally regardless of the rigidity of this spring ; that is, supposing the navi- cular joint to be unimpaired. Gentlemen, I fear you will think me prolix, espe- cially as the object of this paper is the treatment of disease ; but I cannot forbear, since this is the pre- cursor from which the foot is suffered still further to degenerate, oftentimes for many months, before the most attentive observer thinks of consulting us (being unconscious of any disease existing), where- xhe precursor by our skill is frequently baffled in the treatment of J" the other formidable malady, which sooner or later supervenes. Moreover, the public have never been sufficiently warned of this antecedent disease by any D > to navicular lameness. 34 ON THE NAVICULAR DISEASE. writer on the foot : of course, I allude more parti- cularly to the occult contraction, as connected with Jemediannoa- lavicular laniencss. The timely application of re- anJecclFen'r medial mcasurcs for the prevention of lameness tonip dint. ^ould contribute more to the public weal than the discovery of an infallible cure for glanders ; of such frequent and daily occurrence is this chronic foot lameness. If the foregoing observations are well founded, it follows, that one of the first indications of cure will be the depression of the coffin bone, in order that that bone, together with the navicular, may resume its original and natural situation, which will be found, on the inspection of a considerable number of colts' feet, between the ages of three and four years, to approach much nearer the ground or base of the foot than is generally supposed. By way of illustration, and speaking generally, I will venture to assert, that the nearer the heels of the coffin bone, by the conformation of the foot, reach the surface of the ground, the less likely is the navicular joint to become diseased, and vice versa. Such instances are numerous in low heels and flat soles ; but when these weak, thin feet occasionally fail with navicular disease, the cause is totally of a different nature, and may be generally (raced to an accidental bruise from a stone. On this principle I account for the well-known fact of a certain description of active horses, possess- ON THE NAVICULAR DISEASE. 35 ing little or no pretensions to breeding, and heavy cart horses, which appear exempt from contraction Can horses and . . horses of pt'CU- throuffh life, resistino; the constramt even of iron I'ar confonna- " ~ tion and action, and nails. Their escape is owing; to peculiar con- •!• A n •! the public. pam, and is oi itseli a strikmg symptom ot navicular disease ; yet it cannot be denied, that there are many horses which have pointed their feet for years, and remained free from lameness even in quick work. In such cases, I am of opinion there exists a dull chronic inflammation in the tendon exterior to the joint, the articular surfaces of the navicular joint remaining quite perfect in structure. Although all groggy horses do not point, I mean to contend, that a much greater proportion of those 46 ON THE NAVICULAR DISEASE. labouring; under navicular lameness do evince this symptom than is generally known. I usually ask the question, in these cases of lame- ness, whether the horse points his foot ; and am frequently answered by the master and servant, both at the same instant, in the nes'ative ; and very fairly too, they not deeming the horse a pointer un- less he projects his foot under the manger. How- ever, my rule is, never to place any reliance on this statement ; and, therefore, on a quiet examination in the stable, unobserved by the animal himself, I generally catch him in the fact ; probably not ex- tending the lame foot out a yard before him, but projecting only about a hand's breadth before the other foot, the muscles of the sound limb tense, and principally supporting the superincumbent weight, vv^hilst all the joints of the lame limb would faintly exhibit a relaxed position, the animal evidently re- clinino'his weioht on the extensor muscles and ten- dons, from the knee to the front of the large pastern joint, not conveying any to the sessamoids, and, finally, receiving it entirely on the front of the foot. False pointin • Many liorscs acquire this mode of shifting their Komi- Wsos ^^ ^^,j^.|j^ jjj l_jj^ stable without pointing the foot, or betraying the least visible suspicious circumstance, except to a judge expressly on the look-out. As a proof, I have repeatedly seen the lame foot apparently flat on the pavement, when, on a more cone ON THE NAVICULAR DISEASE. 47 close inspection, I have observed a sound straggling straw or two lying between the heels of the shoe and the pavement remaining entire, and escaping being flattened for a considerable time, in fact, till somethino; disturbs the animal, or attracts hisatten- tion. I could very much wish to call this false pointing, in contradistinction to direct pointing. Direct pointing There is also another mode of shifting and easing the foot, which is more obvious, viz. the bent or tremulous knee. Pain, together with this continued habit of resting, diminishes the size of the limb generally, from the hoof even to the muscles covering the shoulder- blade or scapula ; but in cases of very long duration, I beg to invite your attention to a considerable alteration in the mass of muscle immediately above the olecranon, called the triceps extensor cubiti, which seems preternaturally contracted, and ceases to exhibit that plump and prominent appearance ob- servable in the sound limb of the living and well- formed horse. Running the patient in hand at a slow trot ma- terially assists us in forming our diagnosis, by ob- serving the manner in which the lame foot is placed on the ground, whether flat, or principally upon the toe or the heels ; but 1 feel quite at a loss to de- lineate on paper the peculiar gait of the animal, which I have observed in these lamenesses. Before I pronounce the case to be navicular lame- 48 ON THE NAVICULAR DISEASE. Importance of ness, I scrupulously examine the external foot for conipaVhi'j the evei'y probable cause of lameness ; and, having re- the'^'sound ^one moved both shoes, and pared the soles, I minutely rior. compare the ground surface of the lame foot with the other, to ascertain whether occult contraction has taken place or not: this is not, however^ to be expected in every case, at it is well known that many navicular lamenesses have occurred moment- arily, as in hunting or other violent exercises. I have omitted to mention; in the requisite order, another not unfrequent cause of navicular disease, viz. the general inflammation consequent upon the accident of casting a shoe, and the animal travel- ling a considerable distance before the rider may have been apprised of it. It is not very uncommon for such an injury to leave a chronic lameness after the complete reproduction of horn, which may have been a process of many weeks' growth. We are called upon to treat the navicular disease under various degrees or shades of the same disorder. The case may be either acute or chronic. The lameness may be as sudden and considerable as that which sometimes proceeds from a fractured pastern or cannon bone ; or it may be so slight as to ret{uire a close inspection on pavement to discern it. The disease may have been of very long or short dura- tion, and yet exhibit lameness only in a slight de- gree. A horse that had never shewn an hour's lameness ON THE NAVICULAK DISEASE. 49 ill iiis life leaves his stable in the morning perfectly sound, continues sound the greater part of his journey, and momentarily, without any apparent cause, drops violently lame : the rider as suddenly dismounts, with the impression that his horse has picked up a stone ; takes up his foot, but looks in vain for the stone, or any other cause to account for this visitation ; and many instances will this recall to the reader where horses were never subsequently restored to a sound working condition. Such a lameness I conceive to be an actual lesion or rupture of some part of the delicate synovial membrane ; and although there are few opportuni- ties of dissecting these cases of lameness, when re- cent, yet I think I have observed that which will warrant me in stating, that the membrane lining the tendon is more frequently the part first injured than the bone or its synovial covering, the spot being generally within or very near the concavity in the tendon which receives the corresponding con- vexity of the navicular bone. But when the bone or its articular 'cartilage exhibits disease, it is in- variably confined to that portion of the under sur-. face of the navicular bone which is placed nearest the sensible frog, and is most apparent towards the middle of the convex ridge of that bone. From the facts that I have collected relative to d is Jas" at 'its"^ groggy lameness, 1 am thoroughly convmced we admiuii.s of an have as much control over the early stage of this tain cun/' E 50 ON THE NAVICULAR DISEASE. disease as we have over any less important, organ when attacked with inflammation ; for, complex as this joint confessedly is, and although composed of materials such as tendon, ligament, and cartilage, parts not remarkable for inherent renovating quali- ties, still I am convinced they possess enough for our purpose, provided we act promptly. The first step, and which is indispensable, con- sists in bleeding from the inflamed part till the quantity abstracted locally has aifected the consti- tution generally. On copious I should like to be informed whether this plan of bleedings lo- cally, combating with local diseases of the inflammatory kind is practised in human surgery — that of ab- stracting arterial blood locally till the heart and system generally are affected. I hope you will excuse the introduction of the following speculative remarks as to the modus ope- randi in this method of bleeding. When inflammation exists in the limb of any animal to an alarming degree, it is not sulficicnt merely to lessen the contents of the inflamed ves- sels, and materially diminish their volume, but one thing more should be eflected, precisely at this juncture, viz. syncope, or that state of the heart which is a near approach to it ; and thus, for one or more moments, the whole vascular system is in- terrupted or stopped ; but reaction presently suc- ceeds in the capiflary vessels of the inflamed part, ON THE NAVICULAR DISEASE. 51 wlifcli, before the blood-letting, were on the point of rupture or loss of vitality, arising from over-dis- tention, and which have just time to contract vigo- rously on their diminished contents one second be- fore the fresh charge is supplied from the great pump and arterial trunks. It may be argued, that the taking of one half the quantity from the part affected, and the other half by general bleeding, in immediate succession, would answer the purpose equally well. I apprehend not, and for this reason : that I conceive the influence of the operation on the inflamed part and on the heart is reciprocal by the plan I have proposed ; but in the other method there would be this important difl'erence, that while blood was flowing from the system generally, the reaction would commence in the capillaries of the inflamed part before syncope could be produced, and therefore just at the crisis their volume would have again become too great for the vigorous contraction before mentioned, and, consequently, the patient would only be relieved, instead of being cured. Another indication of cure, and which is of no less Dotrusion of the coffin and importance to prevent the recurrence of in flam ma- 'navicular ' •■ bones. tion within the navicular joint, consists in the return or detrnsion of the coflin and navicular bones to their original and natural situation within the horny box ; but even this having been accomplished, and the case no longer requiring treatment, we have yet e2 52 ON THE XAYICIJLAR DISEASE. anotlicr duty to perform : tliis is, to warn the ouner against the slow ihoufjh certain evil tliat will airain Liability of this accrue to this joint if the animal is suhiected tolon^ disease 10 re- ^ u r^ SaiEg' intervals of confinement in a stall, one of the remote Tontintetyfh ^^ prcdisposing causcs of this disease, and which is Tn aSr""" f^lmost invariably applied to the greater proportion of the most valuable horses kept in London. Servants have an aversion to dirty their horses' legs when their masters omit to work them. - Touching my remarks on this unnaturally qui- escent state of the foot, together with the various concurring circumstances which establish this de- structive and prevalent disease, I beg leave to refer you to my navicular paper, published in " The Veterinarian'' of February (1829). I feel particularly anxious not to be misunderstood as to the kind of navicular cases that I have confi- dence in being able to cure. SiZ'"vviS,r With the acute or recent case, accompanied by .Z'irl'J,!;;;'''''^'^'^^' considerable lameness, there will be abetter chance of a radical cure than with a chronic case, attended by only a slight lameness, though both such cases may, nevertheless, be widiin the i)ale of perfect recovery. A large number which we arc called upon to treat are cases of long standing, but yet not notoriously lame horses. Some of these that may not admit of a radical cuie, owing to the duiation of the disease and consequently defective organization of (he joint, ON THE NAVICULAR DISEASE. 53 may yet be relieved beyond the most sanguine ex- pectations of tlieir owners, by removing the rigidity of parts (as before detailed) exterior to the joint, and constantly furnishing emollients, in order to pre- serve elasticity. On the other hand, there are many in the more advanced stasres of navicular disease afflicted with a deorree of lameness distressinc: to behold, which are greatly relieved by a directly opposite mode of treatment ; such as giving way to the disease by allowing the heels to grow high, propping them up with thick heel shoes or calkins, and facilitating the efforts of the extensor muscles to catch the superincumbent weight, which thereby falls ex- clusively on the coffin bone, leaving the carious na- vicular bone exempt from its share of the burthen. This plan of treatment mitigates the animal's chronic cases III some Ill- sufferings, but precludes the possibility of cure, stances utterly Yet in such a lost case this is the most humane and rational mode of proceeding. Mr. Professor Dick, of Edinburgh, has lately re- marked, that the ulcerated surface of the navicular bone, in protracted or severe cases, is frequently so extensive that, after the nerves have been divided, the friction between the tendon and the navicular bone completely divides the tendon, and the pastern falls to the ground. I advert to this for the purpose of sliewing, that the friction here alluded to is not always necessary to constitute the failure of the ope- 54 ON THE NAVICULAR DISEASE. ration in old and extreme cases of the disease ; for I have, on several occasions, been an eye-witness to the giving way of the flexor perforans tendon at this part, immediately on the animal's being allowed to On neurotomy, get up after the operation of neurotomy, and the pastern let down accordingly. To prove that very many of these advanced cases of navicular disease are altogether improper subjects for the nerve ope- ration, I have repeatedly, on the dissection of such cases (which have been destroyed by their owners rather than have them submitted to the operation), observed the tendon so attenuated by absorption opposite the caries of the bone, that, upon holding it up between the light, I could distinctly see through its few remaining fibres. This single pathological fact clearly shews the control which is reserved to the afflicted animal over his extensor muscles, in rendering them sub- servient to the flexors, and thereby averting the rup- ture of this disorganized part ; and which is never known to happen, however extensively diseased, unless neurotomy has deprived it of feeling. Notwithstanding these unsuccessful cases, 1 have much to say in favour of the nerve operation, for the practical utility of which we are unquestionably indebted to Mr. Wm. Sewell, of the Royal Veteri- nary College ; liuti feel no reluctance in postponing jny remarks on that subject lo a future o})portnni( y, seeing that its merits and demerits are now under ON THE NAVICULAR DISEASE. 55 the investigation of an able and experienced member of our profession, Mr. Castley, Veterinary Surgeon to the 12 til Lancers. I have much to point out on a particular method of shoeing, which favours the return of the navicu- lar bone to the oriorinal station allotted for it within the hoof, but which, however, must be reserved for another occasion. The veterinary profession and the public are much indebted to Mr. Joseph Goodwin for a very- scientific work on shoeing, published a few years since, giving an account of the various modes of shoeing horses, as practised by different nations. Most of the old writers on the foot of the horse remark on the constrain ins^ effect of iron and nails on the hoof ; but their evil tendency is more plainly shewn by Professor Coleman in his " Treatise on the Foot." Nevertheless, we are indebted to Mr. Bracy Clark's incessant and forcible declarations respecting their baneful influence, which have been Ou shoeing published since ; and yet this shrewd observer con- tinues to fetter the foot with them on both its sides, although practice now shews that full one -half of this complex organ may be left free as air, and yet perfectly defended. The view I take of the matter is this : — That nails, in a clenched state within the quarters of the hoof, are not only detrimental to the sensitive organs con- tained therein while the animal is in rapid motion, 56 ON THE NAVICULAR DISEASE. and requiring tlic utmost dilatation oC tlie organ ; but 1 believe this delicate piece of mechanism suf- fers from their baneful influence much more by Baneful influ- glow dcffrces, wliilc the foot is in a quiescent state, enrc of the ^ ® \ * ' nails. during the animal's long confinement in the stable, as they mechanically assist in opposing the descent of the lieels of the coffin bone, by their rigidity against the wings of that bone; and therefore may be considered as the first, if not the cliief, predispos- ing cause of the equilihrium, or balance of weight, being lost within the foot. 57 THIRD PAPER; Veterinarian, Vol. II. p. 279. EXPOSE OF THE CHIEF ERROR IN THE PRESENT SYSTEIM OF SHOEING HORSES, AND AN IMPROVED METHOD SUGGESTED. By Mr. James Turnek, Veterinary Surgeon, Regent Street, Loudon. Mr. Editor, Sir, Should you deem the following practical re- marks on shoeing, or rather the method of atfixing shoes to the feet of liorses, wortliy a place in your invaluable journal " The Veterinarian," you will oblige me by inserting this letter. A short time ago, in the hurry of practice, my attention was suddenly attracted by a most extra- ordinary alteration having; taken place in the shape ca^c of con- J O 1 I traction cured of the fore feet of a horse seven years old, which ^",'"|s [,!;P"' had literally changed from an oblong to a circular "l|'i,Hrd',''oadl'' shape, in the short period of a few months, although exposed to quick w^ork daily on the hard road, and without any person being aware that means had been resorted to for effecting such a purpose. On my investigation as to the cause of this im- portant benefit which the feet had derived, it turned out that I had been consulted by the owner of this horse, some months previously, respecting his being 58 I3IPll()VED METHOD OF SHOEING. a determined cutter before, both liis ancles being then raw from the repetition of blows. His feet were exceedingly contracted; but I consider it necessary to acknowledge that the horse was per- fectly free from lameness, and that my assistance was only required by the owner relative to the cut- ting. Accordingly, I gave my own shoeing-smith directions to shoe both fore feet to the extreme, against cutting, as follows : — A shoe of moderate substance, and of equal thickness toe and heels, to be nailed at the toe and outside quarter, with an extra nail or two at the outside heel, but not a single nail to be driven or hole jmnclted in the inner half of the shoe, except one a little inclined to the in- side toe, and all the inner edge of the shoe, that otherwise would have been fullered, to be bevelled off, to prevent the possibility of the iron interfering with the opposite leg, and, of course, to avail him- self of a further advantage by rasping away the inner wall of the hoof as much as possible, without rendering the horse tender in his ^^ork, by ap- theTepeUti'on pro^chiug too ucar the quick. It was also arranged pvery'ti'S' that tliis pkui sliould be followed up at the termina- tion of every three weeks, whether the shoes were worn out or not, and which was strictly attended to. At the expiration of three or four months, this method of shoeing proved not only a perfect remedy for the cutting, but it also ellccted a most important weeks. IMPROVED METHOD OF SHOEING. 59 change in the shape of the hoofs, which altered from contracted to open expanded feet, during tlie per- formance of very hard work. That this plan should have proved a remedy for the cutting, was no more than I expected, because it had succeeded in numerous instances ; and I acknowledge the practice is nearly coeval with shoeing itself; but if in this said old method of shoeing, somewhat modified, there is to be found the necessary defence for the foot without the natural expansion of the hoof being impeded or restrained by the ring of iron nailed thereon, or, in other words, which will admit of all the functions of the foot being duly performed, I will venture to pronounce it the horse- man's grand desideratum. The great mistake in shoeing, which in all proba- a monstrous 1 •!• • • 1 • 1 I 'IP 11 evil in the aitof bility originated with the art itselr, and has con- shoeing piac- ^ _ ^ ^ ^ tised in every tinned up to this hour, consists in the nailins: an age ami in aii unyielding body of iron to both sides or quarters of the foot, when, in truth, there is a necessiti/ for the one side only to be bound or hampered by this iron fetter. Now, Mr. Editor, I surmise you are about to ask me, whether I have discovered the means by which the necessary protection of iron can be attached and secured to the foot during constant and quick road work, and yet pierce one side only of the lioof with nails. My answer is in the affirmative, and the proof I have subjected to the test of road work 60 IMPROVED METHOD 01- SHOEING. equal to posting. But tlic fact is, in the majority of instances, no more is necessary than a httle extra nailing, as to number, in the outside quarter, ac- companied with small clips judiciously applied, in order to secure the shoe durinjxa month's wear. It One side only Will hcrcaftcr be seen, and I pledge myself to shew, of the hoof • n i ' ii ii/>i n i il bdii- nailed, tliat if thc luncr wall or half the foot be duly pro- hoth(|uaiteis in • i i ll ' 1 are at liberty to tcctcd, frcc of restraint, that the outer wall, or other expand. half of the foot, will take care of itself, or rather is capable of resisting the restraint which the shoe and nails oppose to it. The inside heel of the horse's fore foot cannot certainly be said to be this animal's only vulnerable part ; but it may almost be considered so in compa- rison to the outside heel of his foot ; for, if we search for corn, we go immediately to the inside heel ; but we should no more expect to find a corn in his outside heel, than we should in his hind foot, althouiih it must be admitted this disease does The ii.sid. vccasionalbi exist in these parts. Contraction we c|naitcr of the "^ foot notoriously oeiierallv fiud to the ixreater extent in tiie inside the principal o *^ ^ scatof disease. q^,jjj.(^(>(.. ^y^^\ \i Jj^ -^x^q tlic scat of saiidcrack llilJC times out of ten, in comparison to the outside. In short, I would say, that the inside ({uarter of the foot is its wearing place, if I may be allowed sucli an expression. On inspecting the unshod foot of a four-year old colt (which is fully ileveloped at that period of lile) it has been the fashion for veterinarv writers to con- IMPROVED METHOD OF SHOEING. Gl sider its 2:ronnd surface as a circle. To this I have X'"! f"'"""'"'','^ ~ ot (he natural much o])jcctioH, having always been struck by the *""'• ''*"""'^' great inequality of its two sides, not only as to the additional thickness of the wall of the outer quarter in comparison to the inner, but the still greater difference in compass or circularity ; the outer quarter furnishing far more than is necessary to form the half circle, while the inside is generally much less than a semicircle. This bulo^e, or fine luxuriant growth of the outside quarter, is gene- rally most apparent towards the heel, not only form- ing a much broader basis of support for the super- structure than the inside, but also one of immense strength. The inside column of crust being less strong, and yet placed more immediately under the centre of gravity, it appears to me quite obvious, that Nature intended the outer column or quarter should serve as the main prop of support, whilst the inside quarter, in proportion to the weight and speed of the animal, should expand and oppose concussion But however conspicuous this fine prominence or extensive grasp of the outer quarter of the unshod foot may have appeared at three or four years' old, we may in vain look for it after the horse has been shod and stabled for the short space of one year ; and in some instances all traces of it are lost in much less time under very gross shoeing. I can- not see how it should be otherwise, when it has 62 IMPROVED METHOD OF SHOEING. not been customary for authors on the foot and shoe- ing to have given the smith specific directions to attend to this pecuHar conformation of the outside SprWi^the quarter of the foot ; but have left this rude artisan iniiilnc°/onhe to supposc, that whcu he appHes a shoe of a cir- of ti'ehoofr " cular form to the colt's foot, he is imitating the na- tural sliape of the hoof: but that the colt's foot may be made to assume such a shape, how griev- ously must the drawing knife and rasp first mutilate the outside quarter or wall, instead of merely re- moving superfluous or exuberant parts. I am the more induced to insist on the neces- sity of the flowing outside quarter of the colt's foot being held sacred, and to shield it from the out- rage of the rasp, because I flatter myself, that with the young and perfect subject I am about to sub- vert the present system of shoeing, and establish that which I have just recommended, by fettering with nails only one half of the foot, instead of incar- cerating the entire organ, upon the free elasticity of which all the grace and splendour of this mag- nificent animal depend. 63 FOURTH PAPER; Veterinarian, Vol. IT, p. 3G3. EXTRACTS EXPOSING THE INEFFICIENCY OF MR. BRACY CLARK'S TABLET EXPANSION SHOE. Mil. Bracy Clark's universal theme is the '' mischievous effects of nails ;" and yet this highly talented veterinarian continues to nse them, and what is most extraordinary, tow^ards the inside heel ; but, by the aid of a joint at the fore part of the shoe, he states that they are rendered harmless, and do not oppose the natural expansion of the heels. That this doctrine is fallacious, the reader has only to refer to the ingenious remarks of Mr. Joseph Goodwin, in his very interesting work on the various modes of shoeing, practised by different nations ; but this gentleman has left a chasm in his review which I shall attempt to fill, by pointing at one of the o;reatest errors of this hio:h sounding '"J"''';."^ P'fs- o OS sure or the ta- Tablet Expansion Shoe when applied to practice, ^/,^g up^n^'thlT" viz. the too close adaptation of the shoe to the hoof [';;': ""'^'i""- at the heels, occasioned by the nails approaching so near the heels, with the severe clenching requisite just at the weakest part of the foot, the inside quarter, in order that this complicated shoe may be retained in its situation. 64 ON TIIF. INFFFICIF.NCY OF Now, Mr. Editor, if it ])o admitted, for aronmcnt sake, that the weight of tlie animal in (jiiick motion is siicli as to overcome tlic restraint of tliese eii::ht opposing points, and that in the scuj)h'. (for 1 can give it no other name) between superincnmbcnt weight, force, and resistance, the joint of the shoe does give a little, and concussion is moderated, let lis consider the situation of the same hoof in the shoe, while the animal is in a quiescent state, tied up by the head in his stall twenty-two hours out of the twenty-four, and we shall find this jointed shoe of Mr. Bracy Clark's to be a fetter with a vengeance, under the disguise of liberty. The weight of a The joint at horsc alouc, unaccompanicd with action, is quite llie toeof the ' / _ ' * sh.).M.f no avail uncqual to the restraint of the nails, and conse- whilst tho httrsc * the\Si!f '" 4"c*^t,ly the joint at the toe of the shoe becomes a nullity, leaving the heels exposed to severe partial pressure, as with the common shoe. Contraction of the foot being principally engendered in the stable, this is the period of danger, although exertion afterwards out of the stable is the exciting cause of lameness; and thus it is that Mr. B. Clark's famous joint-shoe, after several year's trial, has no^ proved a " basis for the repose of the profession," as this gentleman so triumphantly expressed himself. When the owner of a valuable horse is cononi- tulating himself on the rest he alfords his pet in the stable, he little thiidvs that his mistaken kind- ness consigns his favourite to a canker-worm. MR. B. CLARK'S TABLET EXPANSION SHOE. 05 I next propose to explain my object in recom- mending the half nailing system. 1st, It affords the hoof all the protection contemplated by the shoe ; 2dly, it permits all the natural functions of the foot to be duly performed, even in the greatest exertions of the animal ; 3dly, which is of para- mount importance, it allows the foot to dilate in the stable, by the weight of the horse alone, after the manner of an unshod foot ; and therefore, Mr. Editor, I shall take upon myself to designate it The New unfettered System of Shoeing. I do maintain, that no other method of shoe- sidp-naiiin? .,,,.„, 11 admits of tlie mg whatever will admit oi the natural alternate tuiatationot the expansion and contraction of the horse's foot during 'jie. his many idle hours of confinement in the stable ; therefore, on calculating the few hours in a week that he is usually occupied in quick motion, it will be seen, that one of the principal advantages of the new method over the old, is the unfettering of the foot whilst the animal is unemployed ; and during all which time the very reverse is the effect of Mr. Bracy Clark's miscalled expansion shoe, with the joint at the toe. 66 FIFTH PAPER; Veterinarian, Vol. IV, p. 126. THE ART OF HORSE-SHOEING SIMPLIFIED AND UN- FETTERED; OR THE BENEFIT OF THE IRON DEFENCE WITHOUT THE BANE, BY AN IMPROVED METHOD OF NAILING. [Read at the Veterinary Medical Society, Feb. 9, 1831.] Gentlemen, By the title of this paper you will perceive that I am about to refer to two former papers of mine, on Side-nailed Shoeing, published in the July and September numbers of The Veterinarian for IS29. Having nothing to suggest on the method of shoeing now in common use in this metropolis, I shall not occupy your time by the details of a sub- ject with which we are all so familiar, but propose forthwith to submit to your consideration a variety of advantages accruino; from the new unfettered system of shoeing by side-nailing : but I fear you will accuse me of too much enthusiasm, on my A new era in venturins: tlic prediction of two events; first, that veterinary ^ *■ history. jj- ^v^iU very shortly be generally practised through- out these kingdoms ; secondly, its beneficial elfects will become so manifest, even to the most pre- judiced eye, that it will be hailed as a new era in HORSE-SHOEING SIMPLIFIED AND UNFETTERED. 67 veterinary history, or as the epoch of the emancipa- tion of the art of horse-shoeing from its most im- portant objections. Shortly after the piibHcation in The Veteri- narian of my expose on shoeing, I was assailed, in no very measured terms, by the relatives of Mr. Bracy Clark : to these zealous advocates of that author I instantly replied, as most of you are aware. Having been called upon by them to avow from whom I derived the knowledge of the principle of elasticity or expansion of the foot of the horse, and secondly as to the injurious effects of the continued application of iron and nails, in impeding or re- straining the natural expansion of the hoof, I answer, that on both these points I derived my in- formation from the same source which enlightened Mr. Bracy Clark himself; viz. a work which is sufficiently adopted to have become the common property of us all, — I mean on the Mechanism of the Horse's Foot, with its natural Spring ex- plained, published by Strickland Freeman, ^*9'- p,!"^;'5,fj,f Jh"*^ as long ago as 1796, several years previously to firs^j^^^^p^'^"der Mr. Bracy Clark's first publication on the foot. '^Sl^L It was Mr. Freeman, not Mr. Bracy Clark, [J^';f"'^* who first explained these great truths, so as to render them intelligible to others, as the follow- ing extracts amply testify. However, as the last September number of The Veterinarian contains an impartial review, by its Editors, of the claims F 2 68 THE ART OF HORSE-SHOEING of Mr. Bracy Clark to the discovery of the expan- sion of the horse's foot, I shall merely advert to one more passage in Mr. Freeman's work, which is un- noticed by the Editors of The Veterinarian, but important, in case Mr. Clark should attempt to argue that Mr. Freeman's views of the expansive principle was limited, like those of his predecessors, to the heels only, instead of the entire horny box participating in the expansion. A short sentence at page 3, and which I am astonished should have escaped the eyes of the Reviewers, sets this matter for ever at rest : " The hoof of the fore foot of the horse produces an elasticity continued from the quarters to the point of the toe.'' Now, with regard to the second question, the nailed fetter, I am more personally concerned ; and on which the Editors of Tjie Veterinarian have hitherto been silent. Mr. Freeman, at page 81, re- marks on the absolute necessity there is of puttino- on plate shoes when an exact trial is required be- tween race-horses ; and thus acutely observes £.?atror'For this, I think, there can be no'other reason eifec{'«nhf than the increase of spring which is gained by the hoLf."''""'"^ uddifional power of expansion given to his feet, hy leaving the heels entirely unconjinedr In the second leaf, this unpretending discoverer is content to disclose to us the grand secret quietly. These few plain words of his will sui^ice ; viz. " Upon examining the race-horses' shoes, which had lor- SIMPLIFIED AND UNFETTERED. 69 merly been used, I found many of them very long, Avith nine or ten nails in them, and these pretty close together, and chiefly at the heels ; by which there was double the risk of laminsf the horses in shoeing, and double the tendency to impede their going, by the heels being bound, so as to prevent their spring.'^ I am, however, open to confess, that I think Mr. Bracy Clark's writings, which relate to the anato- mical structure and functions of the horse's foot, will amply repay the student for his time in reading them repeatedly ; but with regard to this gentle- man's views of the pathology of that organ, I am completely at issue with him. The points of difference between us I shall en- deavour to explain, at a future opportunity, in another paper, which will embrace the general dis- eases and accidents to which the horse's foot is liable. I have now a few observations to offer in illus- eviis of the ... Pill r»i/Y»Ar»* I •! method of shoe- tration oi the baneful eiiects or iron and nails upon ing^, as adopted the elastic foot of the horse. In the discussion day. which followed my two papers on the Nature of the Navicular Joint Disease, its Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment, it will be remembered by many gentlemen present, that I proved to demonstration a pathological fact, which was doubted by most of the members then present; by some most strenuously denied, and ocular demonstration demanded : of course, this mandate was instantly obeyed ; and 70 THK ART OF IIORSE-SHOKING on unsheathing the weapons several diseased, con- tracted feet appeared, and in contrastuig them with healthy, open feet, I satisfactorily proved to a nu- merous meeting of this Society, an unnatural posi- tion or elevation of the coffin bone witJdn the hoof. Assured of the frequency of the occurrence of this altered position of the foot bone in feet which had been shod, and particularly with those horses in which the ordinary precautions for preserving the elasticity of the horn, through caprice or neglect, had been omitted, I am led from these data to the following deductions : 1st, That the common method instaniamous of affixiug tlic slioc by naiUug to both sides of the function of the hoof has au immediate tendency to destroy the eqin- elastic laminae. ., . . , librium or just balance of the weight when conveyed to the hoof. The five hundred elastic laminae or plates which surround the coffin bone^ in conjunction with a corresponding number of liorny laminae lining the crust, are known to be the sustainers of the super- incumbent weight in the unshod natural foot, by forming a sort of dove-tailed union of immense strength. These numerous elastic springs elongate under the impression of the weight in direct ratio to the momentum or force, and which is accompa- nied with a corresponding relaxation or yielding of the horny box throughout at the same instant; by which concussion to the foot is obviated, and the animal himself preserved from jar. On the other hand, we will suppose a three- SIMPLIFIED AND UNFKTTEllED. 71 year old colt, and, to avoid extremes, instance the hackney size, three parts bred, with well-formed limbs, and sound hoofs of becoming size, neither too flat and low, nor too upright and strong, to be well shod in the ordinary way for the first time, and with a seated shoe of equal thickness toe and heels, secured by eight nails, four on each side or quarter, as usual. From the very first moment that this animal steps out of the forge upon the new surface interposed between his foot and the ground, his tread becomes uneven, although the foreign body which is appended to the foot is perfectly level. Now the elastic laminae also sustain the weight in this fresh-shod colt, the impression of which has a tendency to elongate the lamina? to the same extent; but no, the fetter is upon the foot, and the best formed shoe that the art of man can devise, if nailed to both sides and quarters of the hoof, according to the mode in general use, will, from that very hour, limit, though it cannot alto- gether deprive the laminae of their elongation. The laminae covering the anterior and lateral por- tion of the coffin bone, will, on the instant, suffer some deprivation of function, just barely sufficient to disturb the harmony of the mechanism. The horny sole, however, notwithstandino- the rioidity Partial or im- •^ ' _ ^ ^ ^ . peifi-ct descent of the shoe and nails, will continue to descend in °f =*o'e- part, and will yield to the impression of weight and force united. It is this partial or imperfect 72 THE ART OF HOUSE-SHOEING Freedom of expansion en- joyed by the unshod foot. descent of the coffin bone and liorny sole to which I am anxious to draw your attention. It is quite obvious that the unshod horse in a state of nature exercises equally the whole five hundred laminae or elastic springs; by their elonga- tion the coffin bone descends within the crust, under the impression of weight, from which pres- sure on the horny sole its arch sinks, and spreads uniformly in all directions, toe as much as heel, whilst every portion of the coffin bone w hich is in contact with the wall or crust also assists in dilat- ing the base of the fool, and expanding the toe as well as the heels. The weight being removed, all these parts, by virtue of their own elasticity, instantly return to their former position, in readi- ness for renewed action ; and undoubtedly the elasticity of the crust, the flexibility of the sole, frog, and bars, together with the expanded form of foot, are mainly preserved by this mechanical up-and-down motion, which, it should be remem- bered, with a horse left in his natural state is almost perpetual. From the moment the colt is shod and nailed in the general way, on both sides, just so much of the coffin bone as is embraced by the portion of crust or wall which has received the nails, is limited in its descent, and a corresponding number of the elastic laminae have their action also curtailed ; but daily experience shews their office is not altogether SIMPLIFIED AND UNFETTEllED. 73 suspended, even by the most gross shoeing ; but the iron and nails together prove the most rigid fetter, in proportion as each nail has its antagonist immediately opposite on the other quarter of the foot. The consequences of this innovation on . . . niriiiniilion of nature are these: at no very distant period from ^'"^'''!'" '"^^ * *■ horny laiiiinar, the first shoeino- the sensible and horny laminae ;'"''"■''" '^'''? ~ ' ^ to their iiiipair- become contracted; but as they remain entire in '^'.'^'"^"f *""c- their organization, no pain ensues, the sole gra- dually becomes preternaturally arched, and the ca- pacity of the horny box is by so much diminished; but yet this is not generally attended with pain, Consequent - -,, Iir>il encroachinent lor nature as gradually adapts herseli by her own of the homy resources to the change; the coffin bone actually natural arch. grows to the altered shape of the hoof by absorption and deposit ; and thus is the fetter repeated month after month ; and perhaps years pass away before Capacity of the 11 • I T I 1 1 I • lioniy box di- actual lameness is established, though in too many miuished. instances the reverse is the case. Every individual horse thus shod is exposed to one of the principal predisposing causes of lame- nesSj by the tendency it has, in conjunction with other causes, to elevate the coffin bone within the hoof, from limiting the action of these highly elastic springs, and also favouring that protrusion of the frog within the foot, before described : the ravages which succeed to this state of the organ, should the navicular joint happen to be bruised in its sudden descent against these deformed and in- 74 THE AllT OF HORSE-SHOKING ^l^j^^'^^ ^c*""" iiexible parts below, I need not now dwell upon ; ot the cotnn * -^ r ' bone, and cor- j[jut xv[i\i respcct to tlic oavicular joint lameness, I ttt7hapehf ^^S ^^ ^^^^^ y^^^ ^^ ™y papers on that most for mi d- giowih. ^Y)[q and prevalent disease. Hunting horses should, perhaps, be exceptions to this method of nailing, from their known liability to cast their shoes, even when nailed all roimd ; and at my first view into this matter, I did think that horses with flat feet and low weak heels would also prove exceptions ; but experience justifies me in stating, that there are many feet of this descrip- tion much improved by the same plan, observing this slight difference, viz. the insertion of nine in- stead of eight nails, and the extra nail to be driven towards the inside quarter. Gentlemen, notwithstanding the profound respect which I entertain for Mr. Coleman, viewing him as a teacher of the veterinary art, unequalled perhaps in Europe, I have occasion to differ in opinion with this high authority, respecting the descent of the sole. Mr. C. lays great stress, both in his Treatise on the Foot and in his Lectures, on the difference in the degree of descent of various parts of the sole, ascribing very great movement to that portion of sole towards the heal or seat of corn ; whilst he contends there is little or no descent of sole towards the toe. Hence it appears, that Mr. Coleman's tlieory of the yielding of the coirin bone obliquely backwards and downwards, the descent SIMPLIFIED AND UNFETTERED. 75 of the sole principally towards the heels, and expan- sion of the quarters instead of the entire organ, is so accomniodating to the present pernicious mode of nailing or fettering the foot on both sides, that 1 fear the Royal Veterinary College will be the last to admit the new system of side-nailino;. My brother, Mr. Thomas Turner, of Croydon, has practised this unfettered plan of shoeing to a great extent ; and much credit is due to him for the zeal and assiduity with which he has put it to the test ; and I have his authority for stating, that the owners of the horses and persons concerned have given the method their unqualified approbation. There is one drawback or alloy, and that the only one ; but it is of an appalling kind, particularly in these hard times ; viz. it will cut off our supply of best patients, by the prevention of lameness : our best consolation will be found in the superior usefulness of the animal. I feel that as much mis^ht be uroed in favour of a radical reform in the shoeing art as would usefully occupy the attention of the Society for half a session ; but for the present I shall conclude my paper with a few remarks on the mechanical execution of the plan I have recommended. Now, it fortunately t'"^ ?""pi'city ^ _ ^ . . ofside-nail happens, that next in importance to the principle *'''°'^".'s I" 't^. •^ ^ ^ I JT practical appli- itself, is the simplicity of its practical application. ''''*'°"*^'^^^^ I need not remind you, that all the inventive faculties *'°"- of Mr. Bracy Clark and others have been taxed for a series of years, and have contributed ingenious 76 thp: art of iiorse-shoking contrivances, by which the shoe \ields to the foot ; most of them admirable in principle, but incom- patible with practice. It is now quite obvious that their mistake, together with a prodigious sacrifice of valuable time, is owing to the complexity of their efforts in making the iron shoe to spread with the foot, which is ahogether useless and uncalled for, as the foot can dilate with much less embar- rassment by itself, the ordinary shoe being affixed, except with the omission of the nails in the inside quarter. The form of Whcu I sav thc Ordinary or common shoe, I mean shoe. *' that well-wrought piece of iron commonly applied in the principal forges in London and its vicinity, under the appellation of the seated shoe, of equal thickness toe and heel. The Hat marofin of the foot surface of this shoe, on which the crust rests, should be strictly level, particularly on the inside quarter, as any burr or edge would lend to impede Clips iiidis- the expansion of the hoof. Clips, judiciously pensablc. , , . •!• • i • ^ \ placed, are important auxiliaries to tins mode of nailing : in fact, they are indispensable ; but two only are necessary to each shoe ; the clip in front I prefer in the centre of the shoe, rather than the inside toe ; the other on the outside (juarter, im- Niimberof mediately anterior to thc heel nail. The number of nails not to be less than seven, nor to exceed nine, and to be thus disposed of; six in the outside ingoftiie method of shoeing, I seldom deviate from the usual mode with those horses which have been shod several years ; but with colts, and young horses recently brought into work, I am just now pro- secuting some experiments, not yet concluded, but which have already afforded me good grounds for hoping that the shoeing art will admit of a still further simplification by the side-nailing. In the experiments in question with the colts' Experimonts feet, I never suffer the hoofs to exceed three weeks' in conjunction ^ro;/;^A without removing the shoes, and moderately nailing, shortening the toes with the rasp, and slightly lowering the crust with the same instrument ; but as to a drawing-knife, or knife of any description, their hoofs have not yet experienced either the use or abuse of any such instruments. One end of the rasp has been ground to a blunt chisel edge, with which a few flakes of sole have occasionally been 78 HORSE-SHOEING SIMPLIFIED AND UNFETTERED. The use of the lifted off, and the colts, have, as vet, aone on drawing knife ' ' ^ ' ^ huperseded. yvell in work for several months. Tlieir froo;s have never yet suffered any diminution, except from natural detrition in meeting the ground, or other hard bodies. The importance of this improved system of shoeing in racing establishments, among tlie two-year-old candidates in particular, must, I conceive, prove of the first importance. From attentively watching the feet of young horses w hich have never been shod by any method except the side nailing, I have had the satisfaction of observing one circumstance, which certainly I did flatter myself would result from it, which is, exfo"iiation"of ^lic Capability of the horny sole exfoliating of itself, the horny sole, ^g ijj the UHsliod foot, thereby prcscrviug its thin- ness and flexibility, instead of becoming morbidly thick and strong. This I conceive is attributable to the unrestrained motion of the sole, which the improved shoeing admits. Having suggested these hints with respect to the use of the drawing-knife being superseded in colts' feet, I shall conclude, gentlemen, by begging you to remember, that I do not pledge myself to shew that this instrument ought to l)e dis- carded ; but I have hazarded thus nuu'h to induce the profession at large to extend the inquiry into this interesting subject. 79 SIXTH PAPER. MORBID PHENOMENA CONNECTED WITH CHRONIC LAMENESS OF THE FEET OF HORSES, WHICH ARE NOT CONTAINED IN THE DETAILS OF ANY WRITER ON THE FOOT. [Read at the Veterinary Medical Society, December, 1831.] Gentlemen, On the last occasion, when I tried to substan- tiate my opinion by the production of diseased spe- cimens, and contrasted them with healthy ones, I only asked you to agree with me in the existence of a 7norhid elevation of the navicular bone and heels of the coffin bone ivithin the hoof, as an ac- companiment to navicular lameness ; but the spe- cimens I am now about to produce are so conclu- sive, so incontrovertible, that I would assert, no rational man will deny the presence of both these facts, with a third, of equal importance, in addition. It is an old adage, "that, when the truth is at hand, all circumstances concur to establish it." Now, the concurring testimony that I have to offer (and which I think, when proved, must of neces- sity form a section of every future work on the diseases of the foot) consists in the expulsion or Elevated posi- J /> I tionofthesiiiall displacement of the small pastern hone from the partem bone. 80 MORBID PIIF.XOMF.NA COXN'F.CTED WITH Production of cavity of the hoof in chronic cases of navicular illoibi'd spt'ci- disease. [The specimens, both healthy and diseased, were here submitted to the inspection of the Society^ It must be admitted, that the small pastern bone in the diseased specimen is occupying rather more the region of the leg than the area of the hoof, which is the place Nature allotted for about two thirds of its posterior division. The other disputed point, viz, the elevation of the navicular bone and heels of the coffin bone, must of necessity be conceded, pro- vided I shew that the superior articulating surface of the coffin bone is in close approximation with the inferior articulating surface of the small pastern. Morbid phono- jjj ^j^jg coustrictiou of tlic hoof and its contents, matoryot the j|. ^^guld appear that their relative situations are no fafse'^Josftion lougcr prcscrvcd ; that each constituent portion oft'rehoof!"*'* encroaches on another; and that not one essential division of this all-important member enjoys the freedom of space as designed by the Creator. By reference to the diseased navicular specimens, it will be seen that, in proportion as the small pas- tern bone has suffered this protrusion or elevation it necessarily conveys the superincumbent weight almost exclusively to the coffin bone ; whilst the upper articulating surface of the navicular bone, in- stead of being opposed to the inferior and i^osterior articulating surface of the small pastern, and catch- ing the weight as a cup would a ball ; (his bone appears to be lialf turned in its elevation, and to CHRONIC LAINIKNESS OF THE FEET. 81 be placed behind the small pastern bone, rather than immediately under it. In consequence of this false position of the navicu- lar bone, it no lonoer receives its due share of the superincumbent weight when the animal is stationary or in slow motion ; but, what is much worse, it occasionally sustains a most severe shock by any sudden or violent movement of the animal ; in which case, instead of the broad expanded surface of the navicular bone conveying the impression of the weight to the corresponding expanded portion of the flexor tendon, it will be seen that the weight can only be conveyed to the tendon by the anterior edge of the lower articulating surface of the bone ; and, to add to the embarrassment of the joint, it is obvious that this position of the bone causes a more acute angle of the tendon at this part than natural. Now this is the identical spot, viz. the lining mem- brane of the tendon at this part, which I have found to exhibit the first lesion upon the inspection of very recent cases of navicular lameness. Having proved to demonstration a very consider- Displacement able displacement of all the three bones of the foot of ii'icVoot.""^^ in these chronic lamenesses, and conceivino- that these pathological facts are now placed beyond the pale of argument, it necessarily follows, that in our future treatment for the cure of navicular lame- ness these important features of the disease must not be disregarded. Whether the profession at G 82 MORBID PHENOMENA CONNECTED WITH large will see or admit the expediency of attempting Reduction of to Teduce them to their primitive station, I shall the loot l)onps to their priini- jjq^ prcsume to prophecy ; but, in taking a re- InCreaimeMt t'^^^P^^^^^'^ ^ '^^^' ^^ ^^^ subject, I feel much confi- lamenesrhl- dcucc in giviug uttcrauce to a conviction on my therto omitted jj^if,(J^ l\^^l ^J^Jg jj^s bcCU OUC of OUr siuS of OmissioH, through which the proprietors of valuable horses have incurred a most oppressive tax for ages, by a fruitless expenditure of the national' weal in keep and medicine, devoted to the attempts of curing such cases of contracted feet, without the surgeon ever having had the slightest glimpse into the hiding-place of his real opponent. The avowed enemy, viz. the contraction of the horny box, we have all of us most successfully en- countered, for nothing is more easy than to spread a narrow foot ; but how true it is, that we have all been too much accustomed to be summoned to that same contest in the same foot asrain and aaain, in which we had erroneously taken to ourselves the credit of a cure. Why thus abortive? Because there has always existed in such cases a lurking enemy in ambush (as well as the declared one) with which we have never grappled. With regard too. primary cause of this false posi- tion of the foot bones, to say nothing of a chief pre- disposing cause, 1 am of opinion that functional disturbance, for a very long period, precedes any organic disease ; that this functional impairment CHRONIC LAMENESS OF THE FEET. «3 commences from the very first hour that the colt organic dis- walks upon his first shoes ; that the elastic lamina? by km? con- by which the weight of the whole machine is sus- tlonai tii'stmi,- pended in the hoofs are put somewhat less upon the stretch than before the shoes were applied ; yet, notwithstanding the restraint of iron and nails, the animal does not exhibit to his owner or persons about him the slightest indication of lameness or inconvenience ; neither is he lame : but inconsi- derable as the innovation is at the time, its con- tinued repetition soon amounts to a bane, by caus- ing, not disease, but simply a retraction of the la- minae in direct ratio to the partial suspension of their office ; hence follows, in obedience to nature's law, diminished capacity, from the want of the na- turally extensive action of the organ. Now, the grand emancipation from this thraldom of the foot, the " clean sweeping reform," consists in rivetting the iron defence to one side only of the hoof, instead of both, hy the avoiding of lohich, emancipation tieither quarter or side of the foot becomes fixed or £'-ro,"fe[tTi'" fettered ; but, by dilating under every impression of the superincumbent weight, the coffin and navi- cular bones are permitted to descend to the natural extent of the elastic apparatus in which they are embedded. Gentlemen, I will not further intrude on your time ; but at another opportunity, with your per- mission, I have much to propose on the subject of G 2 84 IMORBTU PHENOMF.xVA CONNECTED AVITII Cure, with the details of a plan which I hope to see hereafter recognized as legitimate treatment. Bnt I am sorry to be under the necessity of lengthen- ing this paper for the purpose of giving utterance to the disappointment and chagrin which I feel at New iinf. tter- tlic worsc than cold reception the new unfettered ed plan of shoe- i p i • i • i i r • iiig, as received plau of sliocmo^ lias met with at the Royal Veteri- at the Royal ^ » •' VeteriiiaiyCoi- nary College. I repeat the words, worse than cold; because had the innovation in question on the old method of shoeing been boldly and flatly condemned as worse than useless by both the Professors, I should not have had any just cause for the complaint I am about to make, however severely I might have felt the disappointment at the time; but certainly nothing like a murmur would ever have escaped me ; for I do not hesitate to avow, that I should be most thoroughly averse to yield on a professional point for courtesy sake, against my own judgment or opinion. The case stands thus : — Many months a2:o 1 made a visit to the Veterinary College, when Mr. Coleman happened to be lecturing that morning upon the foot. I was thus induced to stay and hear him — at all times a perfect treat, in this instance more particularly — as the worthy Professor took in his hand one of my side-nail shoes, descanted upon it at considerable length, and in the presence of the most numerous class I ever saw in that theatre, ex- tolled the merits of the system in the warmest terms, " quest. CHRONIC LAMENESS OF THE FEET. 85 without perceiving or expressing any practical ob- jection to it ; and finally gave it his most decided support and recommendation, as a most important improvement in the shoeing art. The apparent success and sanction of the new system did not stop here ; for Mr. Professor Sewell, without being aware of the high encomium it had just received in the lecture room, expressed himself so very spiritedly in its praise before the pupils, that 1 was quite astounded; and moreover requested Model sho.for- 1 1 111 • I ^ r warded to Mr. that another model shoe mi2:ht be forwarded to Professor ® . . Sewell by his him, that he might have the pleasure of introducing P^^'Jf"'*' '^''■ it in his lectures : of course, I punctually complied with his request, and sent the shoe. Now, the burden of my story is, that these emi- nent professors and distinguished leaders of our parent institution, "have not suited the action to the word." I am not so unreasonable as to com- plain that the one-sided-nailed shoeing is not gene- rally practised at the College forge with working liorses ; but I do openly complain that it has not had even the show of a trial ; and further, I am informed, both in writing and upon verbal authority of the most unquestionable character, that not even a solitary infirmary patient has been indulged with this really easy shoe. My fear is, that so great is the reluctance to the admission of the unfettered shoeing* within the Col- lege walls, that I have strong apprehensions that 86 MORBID PHENOMENA, &c. Reluctance to the College Professors will be deaf to their jirofes- oruufettcred sioiial friends on this knotty point, and will actually shoeing within . > •, .-ii ii i 'ii • i ^i • the College, procrastinatc it till the day will arrive when their «ow-professional friends (clamorous from the ac- cumulation of striking facts) will hold a more con- vincing argument on the subject of horse-shoeing than even the Professors themselves. A recent author has told us, that " For great truths there will always come a time and place." 87 CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS. It will be seen in the foregoing pages which re- late to shoeing, that the reiterations of Mr. Bracy Clark respecting the baneful eifects of nails upon the elastic hoof of the horse have, at last, been re- sponded to in a way which, in some respects at least, cannot be otherwise than highly gratifying to the feelings of this persevering and acute ob- server. Although this intelligent and highly ta- lented author has availed himself of every subtilty of expression in his recent publications on the foot of the horse, to stifle, conceal, and underrate the importance of navicular disease, whilst the works of other authors of the same date, and veterinary lectures, are found to teem with the subject, and have not willingly omitted the name of its promul- gator, Mr. Bracy Clark has almost denied even ,pj^^ j^^ ^^^ the existence of such a disease, under a blind in- fal^difeas^e "^"" fatuation, that by his long continued labours he had "a'ted b> Mr" made the subject of the foot of the horse solely his "*'^^ ^^ ' own, to the utter exclusion of all other veterinary aspirants. Notwithstanding, as a junior veterina- rian, 1 would scorn to withhold the praise which I think due to this scientific veteran. 88 C(3>iCLUDING OBSKRV^VTIONS. It is undeniably true, that the evils which result from the resistance of the nails have been published repeatedly by numerous authors, and in a very pointed manner by an able writer only a few years before Mr. Bracy Clark's first publication on the foot appeared ; but, nevertheless, there is great merit due to Mr. Clark, merely viewing this single point alone, for he has never ceased to declare the same doctrine in our ears ever since : and I believe I may add, that he has contributed much towards rousing us out of this veterinary lethargy which has been of about thirty-five years' duration, dating before Mr. Clark's time, by commencing with Mr. Strickland Freeman, who expressed the whole thing in the plainest possible terms in his splendid work on the Mechanism of the Horse's Foot, and its natural Spring explained, and published in the year 1796. I do conscientiously repeat, that I think it would The author s ♦^' ^ ' Oark" wolks ^^ ^^^' ^^^ cvcry Veterinary student, however much on the footof|jg j^^^y kuow or thiuk he knows, to read most tlie horse. •- ' thoroughly and study Mr. Bracy Clark's works on the foot of the horse, so far as they relate to the ana- tomy, but more especially to the physiology, of that organ. I also equally feel it my duty, at the same time, to warn them against too hastily imbibing that author's views regarding the pathology of the foot; as 1 think time will soon shew that this pro- minent character has yet much to learn concerning CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS. 8^ the foot of the horse, if we may take his last edition as a specimen of his pathological researches. Having given Mr. Freeman credit for clearly shewing that iron and nails^ by fettering the elastic foot, ultimately contract the horny box ; and having extolled the praises of Mr. Bracy Clark for unceas- ingly reminding the veterinary world of the abstract fact for a long series of years ; I shall now proceed, for the purpose of shewing that neither Mr, Free- man nor Mr. Clark, as their works will testify, had the most distant idea of the manner in which the iron fetter worked its baneful influence by causing a morbid elevation of all the bones of the foot. For ages the foot of the horse has been known to be an highly elastic organ ; and the two authors abovementioned, and others, have clearly shewn that the common shoe, by its inflexibility, fixes both the quarters of the foot ; and, by opposing Nature in the exercise of the elastic apparatus, the hoof contracts, and ultimately the coffin bone dimi- nishes in size, in consequence of pressure from the contracted horn. Now this view of the matter is partially correct ; but there are some very import- ant patholoo^ical facts, exclusively of the navicular ^ ioint disease, which they have altos^ether omitted tiwiosicai tact* •J -' i' O never betore to notice in their elaborate publications. The rea- published. der will perceive that I am referring to the morbid ascent of the bones of the foot, the particulars of which will be found in paper No. VI. If it be true that this invasion or encroachment 1)0 CONCLUDING OBSKllVATIUNS. of the bones upon the confines of each other within Thp import- the hoof docs exist in contracted feet generally, aiice of a mi- ...... , ... ' iiutc invtstiga- surely it is hiMi time that those individuals who tioii by the pro- . fession Oh the ^lav bc iutcut ou the minute study of the horse's Ruojoct ot iiior- ^ ^ ^hl'^iooibouel ^^^^ should bc in posscssiou of some guide or in- troduction to these morbid phenomena ; for if I am rightly informed, no such doctrine has been incul- cated by either of the professors in the course of their lectures at our parent establishment, the Royal Veterinary College of London. The subject demands the most minute and sci- entific investigation, as it is either an affair of no moment, although proved to exist, or the destiny of every individual horse (except of the cart kind) is involved in it from the first hour that the owner consigns him over to the shoeing forge*. I cannot quit this discussion without again ad- verting to Profedsor Coleman s Physiologij of the Foot of the Horse. His account in detail of the functions of this exquisite piece of mechanism is beautiful as far as it extends : it fascinates at once by its simplicity and its splendour combined ; and it is, * It affords mc much gratification to observe that IMr. Blaine has just taken favourable notice, and recommends atrial of the side-nailing' process of shoeing. This acconii)Ushed writer has just favoured the public with a fourth edition, much iiDjirovod, of his " Oittl'nus of the Feterinarti Art." I have reason to know, that veterinary students have l)een in the habit of perusing this gentleman's works on the anatomy and physiology of the horse, and treatment of diseases generally, for a period of about thirty years, with incalculable benefit to themselves, and subse»iucntly to their employers. CONCLUDING OBSEllVATIONS. 1)1 I believe, for the most part correct. The lustre which the talents, ingenuity, and zeal of this indi- vidual have spread over our infant science, by the dissemination of sound principles of the veterinary art throughout these kingdoms, far exceeds the power of my feeble pen to describe. It is well known that Mr. Coleman has made the foot of the horse his particular study for a period of nearly forty years ; and it is highly gra- tifying to me, as his pupil, that what I am about to advance (supposing my position a sound one) has no tendency to weaken any thing which he has established ; but I hope to contribute in some de- gree to the superstructure, although this gentleman is deservedly eminent for his broad and comprehen- sive views in physiological investigation, and for having unfolded the various springs which comprise the elastic apparatus of the foot, together with their functions, which constitute the elasticity or expan- sibility of the organ ; and although he ingeniously shews, or appears to shew, great provisions made by Nature both at the top as well as the base of the hoof to obviate concussion and contraction, he has, in my humble opinion, conceived only a limited and inadequate notion of the expansive power which a sound and fully developed foot really possesses, th^toe o7fiom Mr. Coleman in his Treatise on the Foot, Vol. ii, bonp'deni'cdVv page 89, observes, that " the heels of the coffin comniensuiate , , '111 ^^'''' ''** heels. bone have a more extensive descent than the ante- Author's opi- iiiuu that the 92 CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS. rior or centrical part of that bone." This })osition 1 materially differ from ; and 1 have many reasons for contending, that, if the fact is not jnst the re- verse, at least the descent of the anterior part crtfin"£ne d( - of the coffin bone under the impression of the super- araii parts'iu * incumbcnt weight, even the toe of the hone, is quite tlic uiisliod na- . . .1 , ... /••ii//' tuia] foot. as extensive as the very extremities oj the heels oj the bone. A reference to the organic structure of the relative parts will be found completely to bear me out ; viz. the elastic laminae surrounding the coffin bone (by the elongation of which alone is the foot bone permitted to descend within the hoof) are more extensive, they are broader and more fully developed at the toe and anterior part of the bone than at the heels. Now, as all who have written on this subject aoree that the coffin bone and hornv sole do vield or descend under the impression of the superin- cumbent weight, and thus prevent concussion of the whole animal, and of the foot in particular (a theory in which 1 fully concur), I am apprehensive that some of my readers may think 1 am attaching an importance to this dilTerence of opinion relative to the degree of descent., anteriorly and posteriorly, which the subject does not deserve ; and certainly, if our discussion were confined to the functions of tlie natural unshod foot, and the practice of shoeing horses' feet with iron and nails was for ever at an end, 1 might have paused before 1 mooted a subject CONCLUDING OBSEKVATIONS. 93 which might appear, at first view, merely spHtting of hairs. But when I connect it with the general method of shoeing horses, by naihng both sides of the foot, I cannot divest myself of the idea, that this is one of Mr. Coleman's greatest mistakes in his writinsrs and lectures on the foot of the horse ; I mean his denial of the descent of the toe or front of the coffin hone, as commensurate with the heels of that bone. The fact is briefly this, — that Mr. Coleman's own method of shoeing, or that of any other practi- tioner in town or country who secures the shoe to the foot by nailing both quarters or sides of the hoof, instantly curtails the whole elastic apparatus as regards its function ; and the fettered organ under this deprivation exhibits a most curious representa- tion of the limited expansion which the Professor has for so many years inculcated as being the na- tural motion of an unshod perfect foot. Mr. Coleman, vol. i, page 27 , also observes, " that when the laminated substances elongate, the horny sole at the heels descends." And at page 104, " that one of the uses of the horny sole is to act as a spring, by descending at the heels.'' It appears The expansive 1 * . 1 ^ n IP principle taken to me, that, in a good sound unlettered toot, on too limited . , a scale by Mr. it descends equally at the toe and sides as at its Coieman. heels ; and that it acts as a more important spring at the front and sides under the impression of weight and force,, inasmuch as it describes a larger space, 94 CONTLUDTXO OESETIVATIOXS. and widens the base of the foot ffenerallv. But, according to Mr. Coleman's view, he only desires or expects the alternate expansion and contraction of the hoof posteriorly to the last heel nail in each quarter. Mr. Strickland Freeman saw the elasticity of of this organ more accurately, and thus expresses himself at page 3 of his work : — ^' The hoof of the fore foot of the horse produces an elasticity con- tinued from the quarters to the point of the toe." By a succession of three bones, the large and small pastern and coffin bone, with their respective oblique articulations, the line of bearing is diverted from the perpendicular ; and I am convinced that The coffin bone the coflfiu bonc, uudcr the impression of weight and considered as a . , . ^ . . •, . , , wedge and di- action combmcd, IS impacted mto the hoof, and lator of the , , ' r >^ hoof. driven like a wedge to the uttermost extremity of the toe of the horny cavity ; and that this bone, the fac-simile of the hoof in shape, is the grand wedge and never-failing dilator of the hoof at all parts ; even admitting that the oblique direction of some of the fibres of the laminae appear to favour the movement of the bone downwards and backwards. I am of opinion, with other practitioners, that the frog, when viewed comparatively as a mechanical dilator of the foot, performs but a very subordinate ofiice*. * Mr. Bracy Clark on the Foot of the Horse and Shoeing, part iii, last edition, page 85, ol)serves most trnly, " That it is not so nujch CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS. 95 The horse is an animal designed by nature for coffin bone, iu active life. Observe him in pasture: he is sel- [10^1^ main' dom to be seen lying down, more seldom standing thTfoof in a . \ .11 1 1*1 state of nature. still, but almost mvariably on the move seeking the best herbage. Be cautious never to attach any thing whatever to his hoofs by way of defence, at any period of his life; and never tie up his head for confinement ; and he will have as good a foot at forty years of age as he had when a four-years-old- colt ; mainly owing, I might almost say solely, to the unrestrained, constant, alternate extension and retraction of the elastic laminae by which the foot bones are suspended in the hoof. Why do the bones never fail to preserve the natural foot ex- panded ? Because the weight and movement of the horse keep his coffin and navicular bones in perpe- tual motion, and mechanically spread the wall of the foot in every direction. Upon my first addressing the veterinary profession on the subject of side-nailed shoeing, I expressed my doubts as to the eligibility of that plan for hunters, owing to their known liability to cast their from the upward pressure against the frog, as from the downward pressure of the limb and weight of the body upon the bones of the foot, that should produce this effect of expansion upon the yielding- contents of the hoof: timely assisted, and in due time prevented, from too much depression in this direction, by meeting with the sup- port of the frog, then brought to the ground at the time when the strain and weight is greatest ; the sides of the foot then expanding- laterally through their whole extent, and springing back again to their places on the removal of the exertion and weight." 96 CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS. shoes even when nailed all round. Snl)sequent experience, however, has convinced me tluit I was Doubts of the cautious to a fault: the method w4ien judiciously ed as to the oii- followcd, aud the mechanical execution if accurate, gibilityofside- i • i i ^ i nailed shoeing has Dccn crowucd With complcte success as to tlie for hunters. security of the shoes. Of this I have had sufficient experience during the latter period of last hunting season, and throughout the present one. And I am proud to add, that this desirable end has been accomplished without the insertion of more than the ordinary number of nails (i;i.r. eight) in any one instance. This naturally leads to an inquiry, how this appa- Appareniiy in- rcutly iusccurc nailing accomplishes the firm reten- secure. • r> i i tion of the shoe to the foot. I acknowledge it to be insecure in appearance, inasmuch as one side of the foot is left unnailed. Now, it cannot be denied for one moment, that, had the horse's foot been a senseless inelastic block, the proper and most effectual way of securing the iron defence would have been the nailing all round the hoof, or to the very extremity of the iron ; and doubtless the first man who was bold enouiih to drive nails into the foot of a living horse, with the view to its de- fence, contemplated only two things : first, that it was incumbent upon him to drive his nails with very great caution, that they might not penetrate the quick ; and, secondly, so dispose them, as to their relative situations, as would best secure the CON'CI.UDING OBSEKVATIONS. 97 iron defence to the foot amidst the exertions of the animal. Accordingly we find that he made eacli nail a rivet, and took especial care that each rivet should have an antagonist rivet on the opposite side; and had the foot, like the shoe, been an unyielding- body, no better plan would have been in requisition at the present day. To those who oppose side-nailing on the ground of insecurity, I am happy in being enabled, by the experience of the last year's close observation, to answer verv briefly, thouajh decidedK^ that the The manner in ~ which (he firm oue-sided-nail-shoeinq . when executed by per- 'etent'on of the fect workmanship and materials, is actually ino7'e p'''*'*'^''- secure than the common method of nailing, — I mean with reference to the liability of casting the shoe. For, independent of the fact of the shoes remain- ing on the feet to the end of a month's wear by tlie side-nailed plan, it is quite a rare circumstance to see smoothness of tlic clenches a clench started; and I have frequently had the af«ei a months ^ * wear. satisfaction of observing this smoothness of the clenches when the shoe has been worn all over to cu nch' a rare .1 ,1 • n 1 Ml* occurrence. the thmness ot a slnlhng. I think that neither the physiologist nor the me- chanic will have any difficulty in reconciling his mind to this view of the matter, when we dispas- sionately reflect on the various struggles between the hoof, the clenches, and the shoe, which the common method of nailing; on both sides necessarilv imposes. H 08 CONCLUDING OBSKIIVATIONS. At every step of so bulky an animal as the liorse, in quick movement (to say nothing of tlie addi- tional weight of his rider), force being added to weight, the entire base of tiie foot has a tendency to dilate and increase in its diameter ; but tlie shoe and nails together forbid the dilatation to a certain extent, limiting it to the posterior part of the foot only. Now, as in all other contests, we shall find here that '' the iveakestgo to the wall:' the superin- cumbent weight, combined with force, is over- whelming ; the rigid shoe denies the slightest pos- DispiacoiiKiit sible accommodation, and the shanks of the nails or the riciiclics a necessary oulv vicld a Httlc iu a body with the crust into roiiseqnence or '- ' methudofshoe- ^^'liich they are driven ; but this relief is accom- iiig. exijiaiiicd. pji>^|ie(;i at the expense, and, more or less, displace- ment, of the cleiiches, which frequently appear con- spicuous after the horse has been shod in the com- mon way about a fortnight, and begin to threaten the loss of the shoe. Now the clenches in the side-naHinii- have this important advantage, — there is no distressing strug- gle, clench versus clench, no two being opposed to each other; but, all harmoniously acting in concert, they elfectually defend the organ into which they are inserted, without at the same time imposing a fetter ; so that these useful agents remain compa- ratively quiescent, subject only to the decay of lair wear and tear by attrition, realizing, in every sense of the word, the motto at the headinu ol thi.s sulijeet, \iz the henefit withotil I In hanc. CONCLUDING OP.SEllVATIONS. 01) But I have still better proof to offer as to the security of the shoe, and which I cannot help ex- pressing with exultation, having ascertained that the shoes of galloways, racing colts in training, and middle sized saddle horses, require only seven nails by this method, and are more secure upon the foot at the end of a month's wear than where the usual number are driven, viz, eight, and disposed of in the common way, four on each side of the foot. Further experience has convinced me of another error, which my doubts led me into on the first con- templation of this subject : for iveak feet, with low heels and flat soles, I imagined that nine nails would be necessary ; but I have now satisfied my- self, that in feet of this description the number should be neither more nor less than eight in each shoe on the one-sided principle, somewhat modified: the deviation is this, — that the nails round the toe should be so disposed of, as to bring the situation of the eighth nail as far round towards the inner half of the foot as the ninth nail would have occu- pied as before directed. Thus the same principle of shoeing will be found beneficial in these cases, taking care to exercise it less extensively. > For the relief of corns, the side-nailed system of J^jJ^''^^p"^,'^' shoeing, when carried to its full extent, is perfect. ^uTe^amnUld- When we reflect on the enviable rapidity with °*^*^°"'^' which we travel in England, in comparison with V 100 CONCTJJDING OBSERVATIONS. Hint to post and roach pro prieturs. Tlie vnst im- portance of side-nailed shoeing in racing esta- blishments to the undeve- loped and growing foot incalculable. The author's reasons for ima- gining tlial it will be ho- noured with a fair trial in the Britishcavulry. other countries, owing; to tlie excellence of our roads, and the forced condition of powerful blood horses, I would ask. When these foregoing facts be- come known and understood by the public, where is the post or coach-master, in any corner of these kino^doms, who niiaht not turn them to a o-ood ac- count before the next day passed over his liead ? To noblemen and gentlemen of the turf, breeders of racing studs more especially , whose tact for ob- servation and acuteness in these matters are pro- verbial, I need not add another word by way of recommendation of the system, as I feel quite con- fident that its own intrinsic merit, without any farther effort on my part, will secure the adoption of the plan in racing establishments, although I am well aware it will first of all have to perform an Herculean task ; that is, to render the prejudice of the stud-groom, for once, powerless. Upon the feet of our cavalry horses I Hatter n)y- self that this method of nailing, ere long, w ill be honoured with a lair trial : its several pretensions have been already noticed in these pages ; but I hope my readers will excuse a repetition on one point, as applying particularly to regiments of ca- valry. These horses being always kept up in con- dition, they necessarily spend the greater part of their time in the stable, unless enoaoed in actual service. I have endea^'(nlred to prove that contrac- tion of the foot of the horse, instead of being a dis- CONCLUDING OBSKRVATIONS. 101 ease arising from wear and tear, such as ordinary daily labour, is occasioned by rest. This disease is engendered by confinement in the stable for twenty- two hours out of every twenty-four, not from the simple circumstance of their standing so long upon clean straw beds, but from their being chained by the head to a post in the stall for weeks and months together : this stationary position operates mecha- nically upon the hoof, and is the greatest act of violence which we commonly offer to this organ. Therefore, calculatinsr the few hours in a week that these horses are usually occupied in quick motion, it will be seen, that one of the principal advantageSjJ'Ip^'^.'jfj'l^"^^ of the new method of shoeing over the old, is the Jd";°i![/e';.! unfettering of the foot whilst the horse is tinem- whiisuhe horse ployed, and which is of paramount importance, j^g "•""*'"'? '^^^^ • it allows the foot to dilate in the stable, by the in- fluence of the animal's own weight, after the man- ner of an unshod foot. 103 APPENDIX. HINTS TO BREEDERS AND PROPRIETORS OF YOUNG HORSES DESIGNED FOR THE TURF. In the foregoing pages I liave endeavoured to shew that the common method of shoeing, in con- junction with other causes, inevitably deprives the foot of the horse, in some decree, of its elasticity (to say nothing of lameness, which sooner or later supervenes), inducing a condition of the foot which approaches to disease, but yet so insidious in its nature as to defy the competent veterinarian to pronounce the animal lame. — Vide Paper II, p. 26. Now, what I have hitherto advanced has relation to the fore feet, the consummation of the evil, viz. lameness, occurring onli/ to the fore feet, as we well know by experience; but yet that the hind feet enjoy perfect immunity I do unhesitatingly deny. It is my present purpose boldly to assert, before the whole sporting world, that notwithstanding the pro- digious combination of circumstances which may have ever conspired to enable the Derby colt to win liis great race, and although the prize may have been boiiie off by one of Nature's master-pieces, urged by ail the " cognoscenti" of Newmarket, 104 APPKNDIX. this deservedly proud favourite of fortune is but a sorry representative of the combined speed and stren2:th to which the EnofHsh racer niisht l)e made to attain. And, notwithstanding the concen- tration of horse knowledge always to be found among the toary members of the turf, and money afloat to bind the bargain and *' make the mare to go," I have the audacity to repeat, that we have yet to see the English race-horse brought to the post in perfection — that is, capacitated for giving out his or her utmost speed. The reader will anticipate that the evil I am about to decry is, the practice of shoeing the un- developed and growing foot of this highly elastic and elegantly formed animal, by the common method of rivetting up both its sides at the tender age of one year. The racing colt literally with a vice appended to each of his feet ! ! The racing colt in clorjs would not be less fascinatins: to the ears of his trainer; but I can assure him, that the common method of shoeing, in the end, will prove an c(|ual obstruction. Every three-years-old colt, which has hilherto started for the Derbv, has had his delicatelv or^an- ized i'cci J'cftcrcd in those iron stocks for a period of about a vear and a half previouslv. Can such a state of things continue? No; the side-nailed unfet- tered plan of shoeing, when exercised to the due APPENDIX. 105 extent, will preserve the Foot of the horse im- nmtllated. The direct object of this Appendix is, respect- fully to declare to the members of the turf, that I shall feel only partially satisfied by their adopting this new method of shoeing if practised upon the fore feet exclusively; and therefore I urge them to ex- tend the benefit of the unfettered system to the hind feet also : I allude more particularly to grow- ing colts. In the course of these pages having descanted minutely on the manner in which the fore foot becomes deprived of its elasticity, and having shewn that it may sustain such a loss without a necessary accession of lameness, I think we may fairly conclude by analogy, that the hind foot, al- though exempt from the particular kind of lame- ness to which the fore foot is liable, may suffer some deprivation of its elasticity from the continued application of the fetter, although less in degree than the fore foot. All must admit, that without elasticity there can be no speed. However inconsiderable the degree in which the elasticity of the hind foot may be impaired, if the elastic horny box shall have merely acquired any increased rigidity, without the slight- est disturbance of its sensitive contents ; or even if the full development of growth of this organ be in any part curtailed, then I maintain the race-horse I 10(> APPENDIX. is not brought to the startuig-post in tlie perfection of which he is capable. In thus inviting the attention of the sporting world, /or the first time, to the consideration of the hind foot, as to its efficiency for the purposes of the utmost speed, I beg to remind the reader, that I am only discussing the point with reference to its elasticity, lameness being wholly out of the question. If the existence of this defect of the hind foot be admitted, surely no one will have the temerity to contend that it is of no consequence to the race- horse, and that it offers no impediment to his speed or check to his stride. Let it be remembered that, accordins; to the laws of progression, the hinder limbs are tlie grand pro- pelling agents. Trainers are well aware of this fact by experience, without ever having minutely traced cause and effect. As all trained horses in this country have hi- therto been fettered irrespectively, I mean to assert, that the most experienced man cannot yet deter- mine the degree of velocity with which the ordinary English race-horse may be made to gallop by the aid of this reformation in the shoeing' art. t:ovi>To\ & Ki 1 1 iiii:, I'lUNTiins, miudi.k sirkut, i omuin. y 14 DAY USE RETURN TO DESK FROM WHICH BORROWED This book is due on the last date stamped below, or on the date to which renewed. Renewed books are subject to immediate recall. LD 21-50ni-4,'63 (D6471sl0)476 General Librarj' University of California Berkeley I