354 
THE CHAKLlEll HOKSE-SHOE. 
the shoe, to be the essential part of the original Charlier 
system. This is no longer practised to the full extent, the 
rahhet being commonly made only deep enough to take one 
third, or even less, of the thickness of the iron. Whenever 
the shoe is seen to be sunk to the level of the sole, it may be 
concluded that the result has been attained through the 
medium of several shoeings, the shoe being allowed, as it 
were, to make its own bed in the hoof by degrees. Contrary 
also to the description which has been given of the system, 
calkins, and also front or side clips, are sometimes employed; 
nor are frost nails entirely dispensed with. The commission 
considers that all these modifications of the original plan 
constitute so many rational improvements, and cause the 
Charlier system to approach in character the ordinary method 
of shoeing. 
On August £nd, 1866, the inquirj^ was commenced by a 
visit to one of the depots of the General Omnibus Company, 
when several horses were examined. Afterwards, the com¬ 
mission inspected other horses belonging to the Western 
Railway Company, under the guidance of M. Lemor. In 
every case a record was made of the condition of the feet, 
time of shoeing, and soundness or unsoundness of action. 
The first animal. 
No. V 653, was in the forge at the time of the visit. Had 
been shod for thirty days with the Charlier shoe on the fore 
feet only. The hoofs were very good, but too long ; the 
frogs and soles of both feet were level with the shoes, which 
were quite worn out. 
In another animal. 
No. R 099, the fore feet were shod on the 5th of Julv. 
They are too long; frogs and soles are level wdth the shoe. 
M. Signol stated that this horse had contracted heels ; they 
are now, however, much wider than they were when the first 
Periplantar shoe was applied several months ago. The shoes 
are quite worn out. The hind feet were shod on July 28th; 
the shoes are new, but so deeply let into the horn that, not¬ 
withstanding their recent application, the ground surface of 
the iron is on a level with the sole. 
No. R 176. Shod before, only fifteen days ago. Feet ad¬ 
mirably formed; sole and frog level with the shoe. The 
horse goes well, with remarkably good action. 
Horse belonging to railway company. No. 2. Shoes of 
great thickness, let into the hoof at the heels only. No 
trench in the other part of the hoof. Each shoe is clip 2 ^ecl at 
the toe. 
IM. Dupuis informed the commission that the farriers are 
