26 
CRIMEAN REMINISCENCES. 
to admit of clearing the cavity between the shoe and foot 
from gravel, mud, stones, &c., which frequently accumulate 
therein. This shoe is attached by nails of pliable iron, shorter 
somewhat than English ones, running more abruptly to a 
point, and having projecting heads with alae or wings, which, 
when driven, overlap each other. These attachments were 
practically very inefficient, as the constant casting of the shoes 
proved. The disadvantages of the shoe were only equalled 
by those in the preparation of the foot by the Turkish farriers. 
Another serious obstacle, so inimical to our ideas of that pro- 
tection which should be afforded to the sensitive parts of the 
foot, is, that they cut the hoof down very close, not paring 
or excavating, but actually cutting away as much horn as is 
at all compatible with the application of a shoe ; the frog 
being almost entirely removed, leaving only a slight covering 
of horn on the heels. 
This cutting away of the foot they accomplish by means 
of their peculiarly shaped knives. The Turkish farrier of my 
battalion assured me he could, and had frequently seen half 
an inch in thickness of the hoof, with nails attaching the 
shoe, cut through from heel to toe at a single sweep of the 
knife. 
To the curious it may be interesting to know the shape of 
these primeval paring instruments, of which 1 have seen 
three sizes, not materially differing in construction ; the 
accompanying sketch may convey a better idea than de- 
scription : 
a , a, a. Cutting edges, a 2 , a 2 . Cutting edges also, but slightly gouge- 
shaped. 
With these knives in hand, they stand behind the foot on 
which they operate, which is elevated and firmly held in situ 
by an assistant, who, standing with his face towards, the 
operator, and placing the knife, with its edge towards him, 
at the point from which he intends cutting, draws it towards 
himself, cutting in its progress that which he desires to remove. 
These their instruments they use with much dexterity, but 
without the results obtained by our English cutlery, which 
they much admired, and were anxious to gain possession of. 
The disadvantages I experienced from this treatment were 
those resulting from enormous pressure, which rotted away 
