Page images
PDF
EPUB

which may lead the lead the young practitioner into ferious errors, we will take fome notice of the objectionable parts. The

• union of the cruft with the coffin bone, fuftains the weight of the animal. The horse is not fupported by the fole or frog; for, if these parts be removed or diseased, so as to become soft and of a fungous ftructure, and incapable of refiftance, as in canker, the cruft is, neverthelefs, capable of bearing the whole of the fuperincumbent weight. If the fole and frog, in reality, fupported the weight, then the foot would flip through the cruft, when the frog and fole were taken away. But, as the cruft fupports the weight, even when the fole and frog are removed, there can be no doubt but that one of the functions of the cruft is to fupport the animal.' P. 25.

Hence it appears that the author would depriye the fole and frog of the ufe generally affigned to them, viz. that of fupporting a very confiderable portion of the weight of the body. To us it feems, from the fituation of the fole and frog, their form, ftrength, intimate connection with, and exact application in their whole extent to, the parts above them, that they muft in reality receive a great part of the weight of the body. The mechanifm of the laminated union of the foot-bone with the cruft is conftructed on the most effectual plan for extending the furface of fupport; but it would not be confiftent with the wisdom of the architect, because much advantage is gained by this arrangement in one fituation, that support thould be neglected in every other part.

Mr. Coleman grounds his opinion on this fact--that the foot-bone, from which the infenfible fole and frog have been removed, is not found to flip through the cruft. Such a conclufion fhould not be drawn from this circumftance, because, in this cafe, the horfe refts only a very small part of his weight on the difeafed foot, from the pain that he experiences in it, and which is increafed by preffure. If it be a fact that the fole and the frog do not fupport a great part of the weight of the horfe, it must follow that the foot-bones would not flip through the crufts, if the foles and frogs of all the feet were taken away at the fame time; but we will venture to affert, that, fhould any one make the experiment, the refult would convince him of the falfity of the author's affertion.

The use of the horny fole is to protect the fenfible fole from injury, to act as a stop, by embracing the ground, and when the laminated fubftances elongate, the horny fole at the heel defcends.'

P. 27.

Is it true, that the laminated fubftances do elongate, and that the horny fole does defcend at the heels? If there be fome

1

proof of this action, why does not the author ftate it, as it involves a point of practical importance?

After defcribing the ftructure, fituation, and action of the frog, he obferves, that,

The more we inveftigate this fubject, the more we are convinced that the use of the frog is to prevent the horse from flipping, to preserve the heels expanded, and by its motion to act as an elaftic fpring to the animal.'

P. 31.

For fimilar ideas on this subject, we refer our readers to the Cours d'Hippiatrique of La-Foffe, published in 1772.

Mr. Coleman alfo obferves, that it was very natural for those writers who fuppofed that one ufe of the frog was to ferve as a cushion or guard to the flexor tendon, to endeavour to raise the frog from the ground, in order to guard the tendon from bruifes.

But, if it be a truth' (fays he) that this projecting body was intended to enter the ground, then it will follow as a law of nature, that, unless the frog perform its functions, it must be diseased.'

P. 32.

If thick heels were adopted from reflection, we may prefume that they were intended both to act as stops, and as guards for the tendons; but M. La-Foffe, although he was decidedly of opinion that the frog ferved as a defence for the tendon, thought it fhould always come in contact with the ground. By projecting body,' the author probably means, that the frog in its natural ftate projects beyond the level of the heels.

[ocr errors]

We

The fact, we conceive, will be found to be, that heavy horfes with low heels, and particularly fuch as have been bred in marthy lands, have their frogs large, flefhy, and fometimes on a level with, but never projecting beyond, the heels. Among lighter horfes, the frogs are much more frequently found to be short of, than on a level with, the heels. are now speaking of colts; and we muft beg the reader's attention to thefe circumftances, as, if we fhould allow that the frog projects in every cafe, or even in general, we should admit a bafis on which the practice of fhoeing, recommended in this work, is evidently founded.

Our author is much difpofed to mention, as data, points not generally admitted, and to deduce conclufions from them. But, while we differ from him with regard to fome of his positions, we must agree with him in one point-that it is important for an active animal to have motion !

That the frog was not made to defend the tendon, can' (he fays) be demonftrated. There is no medical man, in the leaft acCRIT, REY. VOL. XXIV. 08. 1798.

M

quainted with the ftructure and ceconomy of tendons, but muft be fully convinced, that the frogs of horfes cannot have been formed to protect the tendons from injury. It has been proved by experiment, that the substance of tendons in health has no sensation; and, confequently, that one insensible body (viz. the frog) cannot have been made for the purpose of protecting an organ void of feeling.' . 33.

We cannot avoid noticing the very pofitive manner in which all the opinions of the profeffor are afferted as facts; and we beg leave to obferve, that his doctrines would not be lefs inftructive, if he were lefs confident. The present cafe, we believe, ftands thus. Tendons, in health, are infenfible; but, when they are difeafed, they acquire a high degree of fenfibility. This is every day manifefted in ftrains; but in no instance is it more evident than in injuries done to the flexor ten don of the foot, Moft of the incurable lameneffes in the feet arife from this tendon being forcibly driven up, and bruifed against the lower furface of the fhuttle bone, conftituting what is ufually called coffin-joint lameness. The tendon, being bruifed, is inflamed, and becomes so painful, that the animal points the foot forward, and refts as little weight as poffible on it; but, as in motion the inflamed parts rub over each other, fo that the friction and preffure increase the pain, a continual irritation is kept up, and the complaint remains incurable. Are we to fuppofe that Mr. Coleman is ignorant of this fact Upon this fuppofition alone can we justify his reafoning. We deem it unnecessary to prefs this fubject farther, to show that too many precautions could not be adopted by nature to prevent parts from being frequently injured, which, when once materially injured, never recover their original health.

The author remarks,

That paring the frog, and raifing it from the ground by a thick-heeled fhoe, annihilates its functions, and ultimately, if not immediately, produces difeafe: and that, applying a shoe thin at the heel, and expofing the frog to preffure, is the only proper meth od to keep it in health.' P. 34.

We are not advocates for paring, as generally practised, or for thick heeled fhoes; but we cannot refrain from obferving, how apt mankind are to run into extremes. Some years ago, thick-heeled shoes, which threw the weight of the body too much upon the toe, were in general ufe in England, and indeed in most other parts of Europe: but now it is contended that thin-heeled thoes, which cause too much of the weight to fall on the heels, ought to be generally adopted. Perhaps a fhoe equally thick at the heel and at the toe, will be found to be attended with the feweft inconveniences.

[ocr errors]

Moreover,' (continues Mr. Coleman) it has been demon ftrated, from experience, that unless the frog fuftain an uniform preffure, it becomes foft and inflamed, and the heels contracted but if this organ be always in close contact with the ground, then it will be callous, infenfible, and healthy, and most of the difeafes incident to the foot prevented.

The fame degree of preffure applied to the frog, that produces only pleafant fenfation when in health, creates exquifite pain when difeafed." P. 35.

From this reafoning a perfon would conclude, that the frog in the foot of a colt is always in contact with the ground, which is not a fact, and that, when the frog is foft, it is in a state of inflammation. If foftnefs and inflammation be infeparable, then every colt at grafs has its frogs inflamed; for they are uniformly foft. We shall take our leave, for the prefent, with congratulating the author on his difcovery, that, although the frog is callous and infenfible when in health, yet in the fame ftate it is capable of receiving pleafant fenfation!

(To be continued.)

Don Carlos, Prince Royal of Spain: an Hiftorical Drama from the German of Frederick Schiller. By the Tranflators of Fiefco. 8vo. 6s. Boards. Miller. 1798. Don Carlos: a Tragedy. Tranflated from the German of Frederick Schiller. 8vo. 5s. Boards. Richardsons. 1798.

THE name of Schiller is now fufficiently known in this country to demand attention to any of his works. We are accustomed to his gigantic beauties and gigantic faults. Of his dramas the general effect is powerful; and, while we perceive their abfurdities, we acknowledge their merit.

In Don Carlos we have the laft of his plays that remained untranflated; and we do not fcruple to pronounce it the worst, though Meffrs. Noehden and Stoddart, the tranflators of Fiefco*, inform us that in its native tongue it has been juftly confidered as furpaffing all his others, both in the extent of its defign and in the manner of its execution.' It is this extent of defign that we difapprove; for one event follows another with a rapidity that produces confusion. An outline of the plan will justify our cenfure.

Elizabeth, the wife of Philip II. had been previously be trothed to his fon Carlos. The feelings of the young prince are virtuous, and his principles liberal and benevolent. He is

* See Crit. Rev. New Arr. Vol. XXIL p. 201.

deeply interested for the oppreffed inhabitants of the LowCountries; but difappointed affection wholly fills his mind, when his friend Rodrigo, marquis of Pofa, arrives from the Netherlands. In an interview with this nobleman, the love of the prince is thus difcovered.

Carlos. A horrid fecret burns within my breaft. It fhall be reveal'd. In thy pale affrighted looks will I read the sentence of my death. Liften! Shudder with horror; but reply not.-I love -the queen, my mother.

• Marquis. Wretched Carlos!

Carlos. No. I reject thy pity. Speak plainly! Say that on all this earth there's no one, whofe fufferings can match with mine,

Speak! Thou canst not tell me more, than I already know. I know, it is a fon that loves his mother. The ordinances of nature, the customs of the world, the laws of Rome forbid it.—But in vain. My paffion boldly tramples on my father's rights. I know all this, and yet I love. The path I tread, leads but to death or madness. My love is hopeless-criminal-beset with mortal anguish, and life-threatening peril-and yet I love.

Marquis. Does the queen know your paffion?

Carlos. Could I reveal it to her? She is the wife of Philip; fhe is this country's queen. Watch'd by my father's fleepless jeaJoufy, hemm'd in by courtly etiquette, how could I e'er approach her unperceived? Eight torturing months have past, fince the king recalled me from the university to attend his court, fince I have daily been condemned to hear her, to gaze upon her, and be filent as the grave-Eight torturing months, Rodrigo, whilft the flame has burnt within my bofom, whilst the hazardous avowal a thousand times has trembled on my lips, a thousand times has died away in coward filence. O my Rodrigo! that I had one little moment-fhort as the hafty prayer of the dying penitent-to be alone with her.

Marquis. Your father, prince! Think of your father!

• Carlos. Ceafe, cruel man! why name my father to me? Speak of the fharpeft pangs of confcience, but fpeak not of my father. Betwixt him and me the adamantine bonds of nature are for ever torn afunder.

Marquis. You hate your father!

Carlos. No! ah, no, I do not hate him; but his very name ftrikes to my foul a terror like the agonies of guilt. Am I to blame, that cold aufterity nipt the op'ning buds of young affection in my heart was fix years old, when first the dreadful man they call'd my father, appeared before me. 'Twas on a morning, when, with careless hafte, he fign'd four sentences of death. Thencefor ward I never faw him, but to mark with punishment my youthful follies. Oh, God! I feel that bitterness of foul o'ercomes me; I must be gone away! away! (Going.)

« PreviousContinue »