CON'CI.UDING OBSEKVATIONS. 97 



iron defence to the foot amidst the exertions of the 

 animal. Accordingly we find that he made eacli 

 nail a rivet, and took especial care that each rivet 

 should have an antagonist rivet on the opposite side; 

 and had the foot, like the shoe, been an unyielding- 

 body, no better plan would have been in requisition 

 at the present day. 



To those who oppose side-nailing on the ground 

 of insecurity, I am happy in being enabled, by the 

 experience of the last year's close observation, to 

 answer verv briefly, thouajh decidedK^ that the The manner in 



~ which (he firm 



oue-sided-nail-shoeinq . when executed by per- 'etent'on of the 

 fect workmanship and materials, is actually ino7'e p'''*'*'^''- 

 secure than the common method of nailing, — I mean 

 with reference to the liability of casting the shoe. 

 For, independent of the fact of the shoes remain- 

 ing on the feet to the end of a month's wear by tlie 

 side-nailed plan, it is quite a rare circumstance to see smoothness of 



tlic clenches 



a clench started; and I have frequently had the af«ei a months 



^ * wear. 



satisfaction of observing this smoothness of the 

 clenches when the shoe has been worn all over to cu nch' a rare 



.1 ,1 • n 1 Ml* occurrence. 



the thmness ot a slnlhng. 



I think that neither the physiologist nor the me- 

 chanic will have any difficulty in reconciling his 

 mind to this view of the matter, when we dispas- 

 sionately reflect on the various struggles between 

 the hoof, the clenches, and the shoe, which the 

 common method of nailing; on both sides necessarilv 

 imposes. 



H 



