This indicates that not only has the horny sole been entirely destroyed, but that the destructive process has also extended to the greater part of the lower half of the wall, with a consequent hypertrophy of exposed soft structures, and a sinking of the bony column, similar to that which occurs in laminitis, but not so pronounced.

Both of these involutions of the glands of childhood must occur before the normal hypertrophy and development of the sex glands and their secretions can start.