254 THE PKACTICE OF SHOEING. 



The following systems of shoeing exhibit special features, 

 which lead us to consider them separately : — 



8. THE CHARLIER SHOE. 



In or about 1854 Messrs Mavor of London and Duluc of 

 Bordeaux suggested the use of comparatively narrow, thick 

 shoes to prevent slipping on greasy pavements. Mavor directed 

 his shoe, which was without fullering, to be fitted warm and 

 in such a way as to be slightly incrusted in the foot. 



In 1865 Charlier introduced a system, in which a narrow, 

 deep band of iron, without fullering, was sunk in a groove 

 encirclinsj the entire ground surface of the hoof. To secure 

 frog and sole pressure the ground surface of the shoe when 

 applied was on a level with that of the foot. Charlier claimed 

 to afford the necessary protection to the wall without in any 

 way diminishing the natural elasticity of the foot or impeding 

 its expansion. 



The Charlier shoe corresponds exactly in shape to the form 

 of the hoof, is deeper than broad, of equal thickness throughout 

 or slightly less broad in the inner branch. 



The hoof surface is a trifle narrower than the ground surface ; 

 the upper and inner margin is rounded off. There are from 

 six to eight oval nail holes punched obliquely so as to obtain 

 the best (possible) hold of the wall. The heels are rounded, 

 of the same length as those of the hoof and inclined to corre- 

 spond with the direction of the wall. 



In preparing the foot, the special guarded knife shown in 

 fig. 257 is used to form the groove in which the shoe is lodged. 

 The sole and frog remain untouched save when partially loose 

 fragments require removal. 



As stated, Charlier claimed by this method of shoeing to 

 permit expansion of the foot, to restore diseased feet to their 

 normal shape, to favour development of the frog, and to prevent 

 or cure contraction of the heels, sandcrack, corns, etc. 



These claims have in large measure been rejected, and, in 

 point of fact, the Charlier system of shoeing has of late years 

 largely gone out of fashion in England. There are several 

 reasons for this. The deep groove cut to accommodate the 



