C47 3 



However, the objection to this is, that when 

 the foot strikes the ground with considerable 

 force, the back part of it becomes a little broader 

 than when it is in the air, or when the foot is at 

 rest. This spreading is not considerable, nor 

 does it extend far alono; the sides of the foot, but 

 it is sufficient to act upon the hindmost nails, 

 when near the heels ; hence arises the necessity 

 for there beino; a o-reater distance between the last 

 nail and the heel of the shoe, than between any 

 two nails. Accordingly it may be laid down 

 as a oreneral rule, that the last nail should not 

 be nearer the heel, than from two inches to an 

 inch and a half. 



Such a distance has been found sufficient to 

 prevent the heels being confined, and not suf- 

 ficiently great to allow the shoe to spring, and 

 loosen the last nails, as frequently happens when 

 they are farther distant from the heel. 



AlLthe nails should be at equal distances from 

 each other, except the two in front, which should 

 be a little wider apart than the rest : this, how- 

 ever, is not a matter of essential consequence; 

 but it is of importance that there should not be 

 any nail in the middle of the toe. For, gene- 

 rally, the action of the foot on the ground 

 has a direct tendency to push the shoe, as it 



