THE HORSE SANDAL. 
519 
say did sometimes get out of order; but I have been in 
practice now twenty-three years, come next Michaelmas, 
and when I first started, and was in practice, I could make, 
take off, and put on a shoe, with any one, I did not care who 
he was ; but after twenty years of full practice in the pro- 
fession, one’s arm gets a little stiff and out of use. Now, I 
can take off a shoe, but should not much relish putting it on 
again, except in the old holes for the nails to enter upon, and 
so all practitioners in my condition will say, if they speak 
the truth ; for active veterinary business leaves us little time 
and less disposition for the forge. Besides, when a shoe had 
to be taken off and put on again, I was happy, of late years, 
to employ a shoeing smith, to which I found there were, in 
many cases, several objections. Let me appoint the hour, 
and be as exact to time as I might be, the man was always 
behindhand ; I had to wait until I lost all patience, and the 
job did not pay for the time it took ; besides the proprietor 
began to be cranky about the hoof being spoiled by the fre- 
quent taking off and putting on of the shoe. At last, your 
Sandal struck me, and, as a start, I got three of them. 
These did not suit all feet, so I got three more, and with 
these, and little alterations made at the forge, I get on 
quite well. If I am called now to a case of suppurating 
corn-canker in the sole, quittor, burse of the sole, or most 
other foot diseases, I put one of the Sandals in my 
pocket, and as I can yet manage to take off a shoe as well 
as anybody, I take the tools also with me. Afterwards I 
change the Sandal, if not quite right, but I take no more 
tools than are necessary, because a veterinary surgeon, in 
country practice, has enough to carry without them. I now 
find I give more satisfaction to my employers, because the 
horse’s hoof is not touched; and besides, I save my own 
time, there being no smith to wait for. I have only to un- 
buckle the straps, and the foot is before me quite bare ; I 
do what I think proper, put on the Sandal again with a 
dressing and a splint or two, and the matter is ended. 
The 4 Veterinarian ’ says, the band is a great improvement ; 
and what I want I know is, will one or two bands fit all 
Sandals, or is it necessary to buy six bands for my six 
Sandals. Your answer will much oblige, 
Your humble Servant, 
W. Vidler, Y.S. 
