220 THE STOCK owner's ADVISER. 



removed, the smith should rasp t^he wall, in order to remove any 

 stubs remaining in the nail holes or any gravel that might have 

 insinuated itself. Xext comes the process of paring the foot, 

 which should be done until the sole will yield to the firm pres- 

 sure of the thumb. If the foot is allowed to grow, and the horn 

 to accumulate month after month, the sole loses its elasticity, 

 and can no longer descend; its other functions are impeded, and 

 foundations are laid for corns, contraction, and navicular disease. 

 The quantity of horn to be removed in order to leave the proper 

 degree of thickness will vary with different feet. The strong 

 foot should be pared pretty well. The concave foot should be 

 pared until the sole will yield to pressure; the flat foot needs but 

 little paring, while the pomaced' foot should be deprived of 

 nothing but the ragged parts. Experience and anatomical in- 

 vestigation point to the conclusion that the sole, as well as the 

 crust or wall, is intended to perform the weight-bearing func- 

 tion. The foot should be leveled in order tliat the shoe may rest 

 perfectly level on the wall and sole. 



The practice of opening the heels, or, more truly, removing 

 that which is the imjiediment to contrtiction, should not be al- 

 lowed. Tlie ])ortion of the heels between the flexion of the bars 

 and frog should scarcely be touched. The bar, likewise, should 

 be left fully prominent, not only at its first flexion, but as it 

 runs down tlie side of the frog. Destruction of the bars will lead 

 to contraction. The frog should not be pared; it should project 

 to the lower surface of the shoe; it will then descend with the 

 sole sufficiently to come in contact with the ground, and thus 

 fulfill its functions by relieving concussion. AVhen ready for the 

 shoe, one should be selected that will fit the foot as nearly as 

 possible. A careless smith will make tlie foot fit the shoe, in- 

 stead of the shoe fitting the foot. The toe-knife and rasp is a 

 very convenient instrument for hiiw, and he can soon make the 

 foot as small as the shoe. A foot thus artificially diminished in 

 size will soon grow ever the shoe and cause lameness. 



The shoe recommended bv Prof. "Williams is the best shoe 



