416 
VETERINARY AFFAIRS. 
ployed than in hammering out horseshoes. But, in being able 
to make a shoe himself, we contend he will know more about 
the work performed by men whom he will find necessary in prac- 
tice to have about him ; and in understanding how to pare out 
a foot and put a shoe on, even “ in a temporary way,” he will 
find very great convenience and satisfaction, though it might 
not add much to his profits. Again, in being able to make a 
shoe himself, he will understand more about iron, a commodity 
he may possibly have to lay out some pounds for in the course 
of the year. 
What was said in our article of last month on the subject of 
nail-making was a mere supplementary remark, and had little 
to do with the object for which we were contending, viz. that 
part of the veterinary student’s education should consist of in- 
struction in the work performed in the forge. If perchance he 
should happen while there to learn to make a horsenail, as well 
as turn a horseshoe, where would be the harm ? And would 
there be no good accruing from it? Suppose, when he got into 
practice, he should happen to find it expedient to employ a nailer 
in his forge — -and we happen to know establishments where this 
is done — would it not be some advantage to him to be able to 
judge of his nailer’s work ? — to tell whether the nails were ill or 
well manufactured ? Depend upon it, the veterinarian who can 
walk into his forge furnished with such knowledge as we are 
contending for, will possess many advantages over a mere “run- 
ning doctor,” and which advantages will, many of them, shew 
themselves in the shape of pounds at the end of the year, when 
he comes to make up his Christmas accounts. 
We will conclude these additional observations — which, if we 
do not mistake the tenour of his communication, are synonymous 
in their tendency with those penned by Mr. Hawthorn — with 
the following interesting anecdote, narrated over the social board 
by a professional friend to another and myself, of a celebrated, 
and truly valued, deceased member. 
“ I never shall forget the first occasion on which I met the late 
Mr. John Field. It was at a foot-case. He took off the shoe 
and pared out the foot, and bit-by-bit examined it everywhere, 
