168 On the General Treatment of the Feet. 



At the same time I cannot help indulging a hope, that the arg-u- 

 ikients I have advanced upon this subject, may operate so as to pro- 

 duce a stronger conviction in the public mind of the necessity of 

 keeping the horn of the Feet of Horses cool and pliable, with a view 

 of preserving the internal mechanism from inflammation, and as much 

 as possible from the effects of that pressure, which arises from the 

 gradual contraction of the heels and quarters, and which the custom 

 of Shoeing with whatever skill and care it may be executed, or upon 

 whatsoever principles it may be practised, is sure, sooner or later, to 

 bring along with it. Nor do I conceive it will be utterly inapplicable 

 to my subject, if I here say a few words in favor of those, who exer- 

 cise the trade of Shoeing Smiths, which I do the more readily, on 

 a<:count of having unequivocally laid to their charge, one offence 

 more, than usually appears against them in their criminal calendar, 

 already sufficiently heavy. But, justice obliges me to say, that I 

 know not any mechanics, that are subject to more indiscriminate cen- 

 sure and abuse, and who are therefore on that account more to be 

 pitied, than those who follow the occupation of Shoeing Smiths. 



For a slight irregularity or blunder which in the lock-smith, or 

 jobbing smith, would be considered a mere venial fault, is in the case 

 of the Shoeing Smith, converted into a crime of the deepest dye. 

 On some accounts, indeed, it is natural that it should be so, 

 for, a sober half hour will often remedy the mischief produced by 

 either of the former artificers, whereas days and weeks, nay monthg, 

 may be required to counteract the evil consequences of one unskilful, 

 or careless stroke of Ihe hammer of the latter. Or, it may happen^ 

 that the evil produced will admit of no remedy, and that the Horse. 

 shall either die of a locked jaw<, or become incurably lame. Now^ 



