690 VETERINARY BENEVOLENT AND DEFENCE SOCIETY. 
Mr. Hunting next attacked the system of “ springing the 
heels,” which he designated as highly prejudicial, giving rise to 
concentration of pressure, abnormal action and undue yielding of 
the horny covering, by which internal parts are bruised and 
damaged, and obscure disease originated. Basin-shaped shoes, 
as commonly made and fitted, likewise produce very deleterious 
results. By concentration of pressure, and also by the form of 
the foot surface of the shoe directing that pressure inwards from 
each side, the internal parts are held between two surfaces, as 
they would be in a vice — the wall is pressed inwards — and by 
such means 30 per cent, of the animals so shod have their lame- 
ness aggravated and perhaps rendered incurable by the amount 
of change which the coffin bone is caused to undergo from 
absorption. 
Minor evils were pointed out and commented on, e. g . the 
limitation of bearing surface allowed by the “ seated” shoe ; loss 
of function entailed by the heels being allowed to be too high; 
pernicious influence of a long toe, as entailing greater exertion, 
as well as inducing rupture of important parts ; unequal height 
of the sides of the feet, as productive of inordinate pressure upon 
the lowest; effects more particularly serious in feet improperly 
reduced by the farrier’s knife, &c. &c. 
A lengthy debate followed, in which all present took part 
and exhibited a warm interest. At the close, a cordial vote of 
thanks was awarded to Mr. Hunting for his instructive observa- 
tions, and to Mr. J. Woodger for having officiated as chairman 
pro tem. 
In the course of the proceedings the following Bellows were 
balloted for and unanimously elected : — Messrs. S. H. Withers, 
London ; G. Balls, Brixton Hill ; and J. G. Dickinson, Boston, 
Lincolnshire. 
At a meeting of Council, held prior to the above, it was 
resolved to hold the anniversary meeting on Thursday, October 
5th, and to omit the usual monthly gathering in September. 
THE NATIONAL VETERINARY BENEVOLENT 
AND MUTUAL DEFENCE SOCIETY. 
The Sixth Annual General Meeting of the above society was 
held in the Hen and Chickens Hotel, Birmingham, on Thursday, 
17th August, the President, P. Taylor, Esq., in the chair. 
The minutes of the meeting at Edinburgh having been read 
and confirmed, the President addressed the assembly. The 
Secretary and Treasurer next read their reports, from which it 
