98 LEATHEE AND GUTTA PEECHA. 



had this characteristic. At least, after numbers of experiments 

 carefully conducted, I have hitherto failed to satisfy myself, 

 that the rule is without exception ; so that with feet of the 

 latter class, a nail or two in addition to the number stated, will 

 not be detrimental to the physical welfare of the organ 

 operated upon. 



Leather and GtUtta Pekcha Soles to Feet. — Numbers 

 of fore feet require more protection than is afforded by the 

 shoes. Eeet ha^dng flat or " pumiced" soles, low heels, and 

 weak crusts, are of this character ; in which cases it is usual to 

 employ leather for the purpose of affording additional protection, 

 and if carefully fitted to the soles, they will be found of 

 •essential service; but much care is required to adjust them 

 comfortably to the feet, as well as the additional trouble of 

 applying tar and tow to the soles, to prevent the horn from 

 becoming unnaturally dry and hard. In those cases, however, 

 where further protection simply is needed, I recommend the 

 use of gutta percha in preference to leather. It can be made 

 to accurately fit the sole ; it does not require the additional aid 

 of tar and tow to the foot ; and should it be necessary, it can 

 be removed at pleasure without having to remove the shoes as 

 well. As the application of gutta percha to the feet is an 

 operation requiring skill and tact on the part of the operator, 

 I shall describe the process for the benefit of those who may 

 not understand it, but who, nevertheless, may desire to 

 experiment upon its efiicacy. 



First, prepare the foot, and fit the shoe in readiness to nail 

 to the crust, taking care to have the foot surface of the shoe 

 properly dished. Next, procure a piece of gutta percha, about 

 three-sixteenths of an inch in thickness, place the foot surface of 

 the shoe upon it, and with a sharp pointed instrument, mark 

 the gutta percha through the nail holes, to indicate the size of 



