98 llATHEB AND SrTTA PEECHA SOLES. 



and of those for a long time engaged in severe labour, have not 

 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 

 win not be detrimental to the physical welfare of the organ 

 operated upon. 



Leatheb and GrUTTA Peecha Soles TO Fbet. — Num- 

 bers of fore feet require more protection than is afforded by 

 the shoes. Feet having 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 protec- 

 tion ; 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, besides the additional trouble of apply- 

 ing tar and tow to the soles, to prevent the horn from becoming 

 dry and hard. In those cases, however, where further protection 

 simply is needed, I recommend the use of gutta percha in pre- 

 ference 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, if 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 skiU. 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 efficacy. 



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 



