120 OF THE DISEASES 



The solution of this question would materially 

 affect many of the theories on shoeing which have 

 been put forward at different times. 



As regards the principles and system here advo- 

 cated it is immaterial whether the foot expands or 

 not. If the foot really does expand, it has under 

 the system proposed every chance of doing so. The 

 preservation of the crust in its natural state, sound 

 and elastic, and rendered neither hard nor brittle 

 by rasping ; the preservation of the frog and bars 

 entire ; and the maintenance of the sole in its 

 natural state by the absence of paring, must per- 

 mit all throughout the foot free and natural play ; 

 whilst the use of five nails only, and only two of 

 these on the inside, and neither of them near the 

 heel, affords every possible facility for expansion. 



It may be said that the closely fitted shoes 

 which have been recommended above must prevent 

 expansion. Shoes, however, for fear of cutting 

 are usually fitted close on the inside, where per- 

 manent contraction generally occurs, whilst they 

 are left wide on the outside, which is not the seat 

 of this evil. 



The expansion and contraction which are sup- 

 posed to take place when the foot is taken up from 

 or placed on the ground is, it must be remarked, 

 entirely different from permanent contraction or 

 narrowing of the foot. In the system of shoeing 

 advised in these pages, every precaution has been 



