708 
PERIPLANTAR SHOEING. 
more weio^lit the greater the speed ! So one would think, if 
the theories of what has been called practical experience are 
to he listened to. And besides this we are gravely told that 
there are some very weak and fiat feet with very large frogs, 
tvhich require cutting (vide Veterinarian for May, 1869, p. 
324) : and elsewhere, With fiat weak feet the frogs are 
often so large that the horses cannot loork sound, either loith 
or without leather soles, imless the frogs are kept pared'"'' {The 
Field, February 13th, 1869 ; and Veterinarian for September, 
1869, p. 643). Here, again, we have the profound science 
of venerated Markham taught and enforced more than two 
hundred years after his death, and woe betide any one who 
dares to dispute its wdsdom ! 
It was, I believe, with a view to expose the fallacy of such 
absurdities, to endeavour to establish farriery on a rational 
basis, and if possible to maintain the foot in as healthy a 
condition as other organs, that M. Charlier exerted himself 
to perfect his method. And this distingidshed veterinarian 
was well qualified to develop the resources of his science in 
this respect. Like myself, and perhaps at as early an age, 
he became a pupil of St. Eloy, and for years handled the 
tools of the Marechal, while he studied the principles of 
shoeing and the structure and functions of the foot. And like 
many more who have commenced their professional career in 
this lowly manner, he has often, no doubt, had occasion to 
thank his good fortune that the fates ordained it so. It is 
not likely, at any rate, that any one could spitefully designate 
him an “ inexperienced theorist.^’ Indeed I am not aware 
that our French colleagues send each other to Bath in tliat 
polite fashion, however common it maybe among ‘‘Vets.” 
(which I presume is vulgo for veterinary surgeons, vide 
Veterinarian for September, 1869, p. 644) in other lands. 
After some modifications, and also after much opposition, 
the “ periplantaire ” system of shoeing was fairly launched. 
Its advantages were quickly recognised by many of the best 
qualified authorities in France; it was subjected to the most 
severe tests on the feet of the Parisian omnibus horses, many 
hundreds of which have been so shod for some years, and it 
rapidly grew into favour. The public acknowledgments 
received by M. Charlier were as substantial as they must 
have been gratifying; at the Paris exhibition he gained 
honours, and his invention (we will in this place call it so) 
attracted marked attention. Since that time it has found its 
way to nearly every country beyond France, and from all 
accounts is still progressing steadily in favour. 
In France—where, according even to the confessions of 
