PERIPLANTAR SHOEING. 
711 
last communication that he is now in no better position to 
give an opinion with regard to it. 
I have every reason to believe that it has received, and is 
receiving, a somewhat extensive trial in England, particu¬ 
larly in Yorkshire and Leicestershire; and that it is even a 
more perfect method of shoeing than I, from my limited 
experience of it, had pronounced it to be. Count Batthyany, 
who has tried it extensively for a long time, writes to inform 
me that he has been most successful with it on fore and 
hind feet, and sends some striking illustrations of the bene¬ 
fits to be derived from its employment. But these and the 
evidence of other writers it would be needless to offer, as in 
all probability it would not be entertained by those who 
habitually look upon everything not their own as unworthy 
of notice or credence. What I might add to what I have 
already stated would, of course, be at once rejected as incor¬ 
rect. I have freely commented on the defects of the Charlier 
method of shoeing, and perhaps from my limited trials of 
it, and my being incompetent to apply it so skilfully as its 
introducer, I may have exaggerated these defects, or disco¬ 
vered some which, when the system is properly applied, do 
not exist. The original form in which it was brought out 
certainly entailed an extensive mutilation of the wall of the 
hoof, and this I pointed out to the Veterinary Surgeon 
who inspected my horses in February, and have no doubt 
mentioned it to others. I have also stated that better work¬ 
manship is required than with the ordinary mode of shoeing. 
I have certainly never said that ‘‘ the concussive blows which 
the shoe receives from the hard road produces elongation at 
the toe;” but I have alluded to the accident that sometimes 
happens in which, when the shoe has become worn, if it be 
not nailed well back towards the heels, one or other branch 
is liable to be twisted outwards under certain circumstances. 
I have found no difficulty whatever in resorting to the ordi¬ 
nary surface shoeing on feet that have been shod on the peri- 
plantar system. But feet that have for some time been 
subjected to the anti-vibratory,” or clog system of shoeing, 
and are thereby almost ruined, require particular care when 
first submitted to this; as they have so little horn left, the 
crust is so damaged, and the feet so morbidly tender when 
allowed to perform those functions which nature intended 
them to fulfil, that it takes time to repair the damage. 
If I am in error with regard to the periplantar shoeing (for 
I hasten to admit that like those in whom all professional 
knowledge is unfortunately not concentrated, and who some¬ 
times do err), I at least find myself in good company. I 
