MODERN FARRIER. 109 



pass it up his mouth, and gently run over it to all 

 the affected parts : let him chump it well about his 

 mouth, and fast about an hour afterwards. 



Having thus noticed the most common and im- 

 portant diseases to which horses are subject, and 

 explained the different approved modes of treatment, 

 it will now be necessary to give some plain, practical 

 directions on the best way of performing some of 

 the most useful and common operations in farriery. 

 In the Appendix a great variety of useful recipes 

 will be given, properly classed, and forming a valua- 

 ble summary of Veterinary Materia ^Iedica. 



66. Shoeing. 



Shoeing is a most important operation, and has 

 certainly been much studied and improved in mo- 

 dern times. Those who are desirous of obtaining 

 an accurate knowledge of the anatomy of the horse's 

 foot, ought to consult Mr. Coleman's elegant work 

 on its structure, economy, and diseases, wherein the 

 muscles, blood-vessels, nerves, and absorbents, are 

 well described and beautifully figured. The follow- 

 ing plain summary of the structure and functions of 

 the foot may, however, be easily understood, and 

 remembered by ordinary readers, and will be found 

 of great service in imparting a knowledge of the 

 subject. It appears then. 



That the natural form of the hoof of the fore-feet 

 of horses, before any art has been employed, ap- 

 proaches to a circle; and. 



That the internal cavity of the hoof, when circu- 

 lar, Is completely filled by the sensible parts of the 

 foot. 



That the hoof is composed of horny iiisensible 

 ifibres, that take the names of crust, sole, bars, and 

 frog-. 



