.-.i 



38 



giveit an obtuse figure in front, see Fig, 12, which is raore consistent with the 

 form of the natural foot unshod; two advantages attend it, by the toe heixtg 

 shortened, the danger of tripping and stunibling is lessened, and there is less 

 distress or strain on the back sinews. Opportunity also is conveniently 

 afforded by this figure for tlie Insertion of a piece of steel rivetted through, 

 by the ends of the steel being bent up, as seen at Fig. 13. 



In regard to the expence of such shoes, if a little more expense did attend 

 theni, to preserve a noble and costly animal froni suffering, a few Shillings 

 a year would be of no real moraent, but my belief is, that raost fortunately, 

 they can be made as cheap, if not cheaper, than the common slioe, for the 

 following reasons: that iron being a very stubborn metal, to cut out an entire 

 shoe of any size by an engine, has been found not commercially practicable, 

 the dies breaking too frequently from such straining efforts : but the half of 

 a shoe most happily for this System can be stampt out at a blow, without 

 risk, and then the expence is not great. Such shoes, accurately made, have 

 been already scnt me from an iron works, near Stourbridge in Worcester- 

 shire, at a raoderate price, that I apprehend tho expence will not be feit, and 

 they may become a usefnl ob.ject for soine of our manufacturing towns, and 

 as no patent has been taken out for them, they are open to improvement. 



I now conclude my treatise on the foot, which imperfect as it is, has been 

 the result of much research and labor, having nature ever before me for my 

 guide and not books, that 1 trust it will form a more solid basis for the repose 

 of the art, than has hitherto been known. Of my predecessors I have rather 

 screened their mistakes than called them into notice, and hope to experience 

 of others the same charity. 



The French have deemed it worthy translation, and in that work a new 

 arrangement of the matter is seen, which it is my Intention to adopt in a 

 second edition which appears likely soon to be required, with other addi- 

 tional matter that has occurred since. For many facts were discovered 

 in the course of printing, and were introduced rather than omit them, out 

 of their places ; the whole anatomy of the hoof is of this description, as I 

 had in view in the commencement only to report the experiment of the 

 effects of iron on horses feet 



The past sufferings of these animals we may regret, but cannot now re- 

 call, let US in future be more on our guard, for this noble gift of providence 

 is not bestowed without conditions, if the earth we cultivate requires previ- 

 ous consideration to obtain its füllest rewards how much more to obtain bis 

 Services agreeably and lastingly docs a living animal so exquisitely wrought. 



