. BENEVOLENT ANNUITY FUND. 
203 
the feet, as is too often the case here. The moderate springing at 
the heels, or leaving a space so as to introduce the blade of a thin 
spatula between the shoe and the foot, should not be neglected, 
even in the shoeing of the cart-horse ; for in cart-horses nothing 
contributes more to their safe and easy going than this; and one 
half of the heavy draught horses are crippled by the thick heeled 
shoe, and the consequent pressure on the heels. I may remark 
here, that I have for many years shod horses for my own use 
with a sort of short shoe or TIP, and that they afford the strongest 
evidence of the non-expansion of the heels and quarters ; since, if 
there existed any lateral motion when the foot is on the ground, 
the friction would be so great as to cause the heels to wear away 
in a very short space of time. 
BENEVOLENT ANNUITY FUND. 
Ashbourne, March 14, 1850. 
Mr. Editor, — You are aware that the formation of a benevolent 
or annuity fund for the veterinary profession has from time to 
time been brought before your readers by several noble-minded 
individuals. 
We find, that Professor Morton took the lead in this matter : his 
proposals may be seen in the 12th vol. of The Veterinarian, 
but no one was found to aid or abet his plans. Subsequently, we 
find, in the 19th vol. of The VETERINARIAN, Mr. Baker, V S. 
Reigate, again appealing to the veterinary profession, and was a 
little more successful than Mr. Morton, by bringing out letters of 
approval from Messrs. Anderson, Cherry, Dyer, and Mather. 
Also I was one who wrote to Mr. Baker, to encourage him to 
proceed with his good work. But all this ended in nothing. 
You appear, however, to think, from what you said in your last 
Journal, that the subject might be revived now with better prospect 
of success. The necessity of such a fund must be apparent to all. 
The French affair which has recently come to our knowledge calls 
loudly for something to be done. I could relate several tales of 
woe which have come to my knowledge. 
In my opinion it can never be brought about if the subject 
is made a party one. Whatever differences there exist in the 
profession, they must, in such a case as this, be scattered to the 
winds : all must be united in this one affair at least. Permit me, 
then, through the medium of The VETERINARIAN, to propose 
that the Veterinary Professors and President and Council of the 
