on the ground, no space will be perceptible ; the 

 expansion of the foot will be such that the iron 

 will appear in close contact with the hoof : when, 

 however, the foot is raised, the space will become 

 visible ; and it will be found that this cannot 

 proceed from the shoe lodging itself in the hoof 

 by the pressure ; for if this were the reason, the 

 iron would become bent, and remain lodged after 

 the foot left the ground. It is not that the iron 

 plate is pressed into the foot, but the elasticity of 

 the foot makes it descend to the iron. A skilful 

 smith will always fasten on the shoes upon this 

 principle. Practically, many of them understand 

 it, for you frequently hear them explain accidental 

 lameness by saying that the shoe has been put 

 on " too tight:" the operation, however, of this 

 " tight " shoeing, in impeding the elasticity of 

 the tread, and thereby occasioning inflammatory 

 action, and consequent tenderness and contraction, 

 is understood by very few smiths, and too little 

 regarded by many veterinary surgeons. I believe 

 that Mr. Woodin, to whom I have occasion to 

 refer elsewhere as a veterinarian of great skill, was 

 the first to suggest this method of shoeing, and 

 the illustration it affords of the elasticity of the 

 foot. I received it from Professor Coleman ; but 

 I have since understood that the credit is due to 



