THE CATTLE MURRAIN OF INDIA. 13 
considerations, necessary to the well-being, comfort, and 
successful utilization of the horse. 
And this study should prepare the way for a correct appre- 
ciation of the management of the horse's foot, and for a con- 
sideration of shoeing in its triple import of protector to the 
base of the edifice — the hoof — an aid to progression, and a 
remedier of defects when foot or limb are defective. 
Considering the important role assigned to its armature — 
which is destined to operate either for good or evil, according 
as it may be applied, though in the largest majority of cases 
it is the latter — and reflecting that in nearly every instance 
the shoer of horses is all but, if not utterly, destitute of the 
most superficial knowledge of the anatomy and physiology 
of the delicate organ he is constantly in the habit of ma- 
nipulating and controlling in some fashion after the routine 
or traditions of his craft, it can scarcely be denied that at 
least a sufficient acquaintance with the essential features of 
the foot, structurally and functionally, should form the 
groundwork of every rational system of farriery. 
The acquisition of this knowledge appears to be even im- 
peratively demanded ; for is it not a fact that the universal 
custom is to treat the horse's foot on principles which are 
the very opposite of rational — to do to it that which a slight 
insight into its structure and functions would show to be 
utterly wrong, and pregnant with the most serious conse- 
quences to the unfortunate animal ? The disastrous effects 
of improper shoeing — of shoeing as it is ordinarily practised 
— can scarcely be sufficiently dwelt upon. 
To practise the art of shoeing, says a most distinguished 
professor of Veterinary Science,* with a perfect understanding 
of its means and object, it is indispensably necessary to 
know the organization of the region on which the shoe ought 
to be fitted; the mechanism of its functions; how these 
functions are related to those of all the other regions of the 
limb ; and, finally, what is the influence of the position of 
the foot on the direction of the rays above it, as well as on 
their integrity. In other terms, it is impossible to be really 
intelligent and competent in the art of shoeing — to know all 
its resources, and to properly employ it in so many diversified 
w r ays in practice — if the anatomy of the foot and the physi- 
ology of locomotion be ignored. 
It is impossible in any art — and shoeing is no exception to 
this rule — to acquire a veritable superiority, if its theory as 
well as its practice be not combined and exercised together. 
* H. Bouley, ‘Nouveau Dictionnaire, &c., Veterinaires.’ Article 
“ Ferrure.” 
