G22 C.UTTA PEUCII A A SUBSTITUTE FOR LEATHERN SOLES. 
leather soles, simply as a protection against these things, which 
when first broken are as sharp as glass itself. For this purpose 
leather soles answer well, and will, of course, continue to be used 
with some description of feet : still, on the score of economy, and as 
a simple protection to the sole of the foot, I have every reason to 
think they will, in a great measure, be superseded by gutta percha. 
It was in the early part of the present year that I first began trying 
this article upon the feet of my own horse, which I have driven 
with it ever since ; and, finding that it answered admirably, I re- 
commended its adoption in several places ; so that it has now got 
into rather extensive use about here, and appears to give satisfac- 
tion to all, except a certain class, who, for obvious reasons, adhere 
to the old proverb, that “ there’s nothing like leather.” I use the 
article in a manner somewhat similar to Dr. Gill’s description. 
Cut from a sheet of gutta percha a piece adapted to the size of 
the foot, soften it sufficiently in hot water, so that with the thumb 
it can be moulded nicely into the sole and different hollows of the 
foot ( after the shoe is put on), then with an old knife press it 
under the edge of the shoe, this being all that is requisite to secure 
it. The horse should then stand on a smooth surface for a few 
minutes, when the gutta percha will have acquired its original 
firmness. The quantity I use is sufficient to form a substance 
equal to that of a leather sole ; but instead of making a smooth 
ground surface, 1 mould it well into the commissures and cleft of 
the frog, so as to resemble, in a great measure, the surface of the 
horny sole itself. By so doing, stability is given to the tread, a 
neat appearance is also presented, and it fits so closely that but 
little dirt works underneath. I use the gutta percha without the 
ordinary tar-stopping, and without removing it oftener than the 
shoes; and the effect it has upon the foot is quite different to what 
I had anticipated. All my fears were dispelled upon putting it to 
the test. For durability, and consequent economy, leather soles 
bear no comparison whatever, as the same gutta percha will do over 
and over again, if softened afresh by immersion in hot water. 
1 give in London two shillings per pound for gutta percha in the 
sheet, and I am informed that the old (or that which gets flaky, as 
it will do by wear) sells for nearly half its original cost, to be 
worked up afresh by the manufacturer ; so that this singular article 
appears to be almost indestructible. 
I am, Sir, 
Your’s respectfully. 
