SHOEING. 155 



such an abundant flow of imaginary mattery 

 as to render practical researches and ocu- 

 lar demonstration too insignificant for the 

 condescending inquiries of superior under- 

 standings. 



Previous to a description of the different 

 kinds of feet, at least the quality or texture 

 of their formation, and the mode of shoe-* 

 iNG best adapted to each ; a few words may- 

 be properly introduced upon the many horses 

 rendered temporary cripples by the injudicious 

 or improper mode of forming or setting a 

 shoe, without a relative consideration to the 

 shape or make of the foot, or the size and 

 action of the horse. What renders the cir- 

 cumstance still more extraordinary is, that 

 this error in judgment so constantly happens 

 without the least discovery by either owner 

 or operator in their frequent surveys, and 

 tedious consultations ; and I am the more 

 strengthened in my confirmation of this fact, 

 by the repeated instances Avhere the ceremo- 

 nies of embrocating with those Vulcanian 

 Specifics, origanum and turpentine, have been 

 persevered in (even to the acts of Blister- 



