ration in old and extreme cases of the disease; for I have, on several occasions, been an eye-witness to the giving way of the flexor perforans tendon at this part, immediately on the animal's being allowed to On neurotomy. get up after the operation of neurotomy, and the pastern let down accordingly. To prove that very many of these advanced cases of navicular disease are altogether improper subjects for the nerve operation, I have repeatedly, on the dissection of such cases (which have been destroyed by their owners rather than have them submitted to the operation), observed the tendon so attenuated by absorption opposite the caries of the bone, that, upon holding it up between the light, I could distinctly see through its few remaining fibres.

This single pathological fact clearly shews the control which is reserved to the afflicted animal over his extensor muscles, in rendering them subservient to the flexors, and thereby averting the rupture of this disorganized part; and which is never known to happen, however extensively diseased, unless neurotomy has deprived it of feeling.

Notwithstanding these unsuccessful cases, I have much to say in favour of the nerve operation, for the practical utility of which we are unquestionably indebted to Mr. Wm. Sewell, of the Royal Veterinary College; but I feel no reluctance in postponing my remarks on that subject to a future opportunity, seeing that its merits and demerits are now under

the investigation of an able and experienced member of our profession, Mr. Castley, Veterinary Surgeon to the 12th Lancers.

I have much to point out on a particular method of shoeing, which favours the return of the navicular bone to the original station allotted for it within the hoof, but which, however, must be reserved for another occasion.

The veterinary profession and the public are much indebted to Mr. Joseph Goodwin for a very scientific work on shoeing, published a few years since, giving an account of the various modes of shoeing horses, as practised by different nations.

Most of the old writers on the foot of the horse remark on the constraining effect of iron and nails on the hoof; but their evil tendency is more plainly shewn by Professor Coleman in his "Treatise on the Foot." Nevertheless, we are indebted to Mr. Bracy Clark's incessant and forcible declarations respecting their baneful influence, which have been On shoeing. published since; and yet this shrewd observer continues to fetter the foot with them on both its sides, although practice now shews that full one-half of this complex organ may be left free as air, and yet perfectly defended.

The view I take of the matter is this:-That nails, in a clenched state within the quarters of the hoof, are not only detrimental to the sensitive organs contained therein while the animal is in rapid motion,

ence of the

nails.

and requiring the utmost dilatation of the organ; but I believe this delicate piece of mechanism suffers from their baneful influence much more by Baneful influ- slow degrees, while the foot is in a quiescent state, during the animal's long confinement in the stable, as they mechanically assist in opposing the descent of the heels of the coffin bone, by their rigidity against the wings of that bone; and therefore may be considered as the first, if not the chief, predispos ing cause of the equilibrium, or balance of weight, being lost within the foot.

57

THIRD PAPER;

VETERINARIAN, VOL. II. p. 279.

EXPOSÉ OF THE CHIEF ERROR IN THE PRESENT SYSTEM
OF SHOEING HORSES, AND AN IMPROVED METHOD
SUGGESTED.

By Mr. JAMES TURNER, Veterinary Surgeon, Regent Street, London.
Mr. Editor,

SIR,

SHOULD you deem the following practical remarks on shoeing, or rather the method of affixing shoes to the feet of horses, worthy a place in your invaluable journal "THE VETERINARIAN," you will oblige me by inserting this letter.

traction cured

sure to hard

A short time ago, in the hurry of practice, my attention was suddenly attracted by a most extraordinary alteration having taken place in the shape Case of conof the fore feet of a horse seven years old, which during expohad literally changed from an oblong to a circular and quick work shape, in the short period of a few months, although exposed to quick work daily on the hard road, and without any person being aware that means had been resorted to for effecting such a purpose.

On my investigation as to the cause of this important benefit which the feet had derived, it turned out that I had been consulted by the owner of this horse, some months previously, respecting his being

on hard roads.

.

a determined cutter before, both his ancles being then raw from the repetition of blows. His feet were exceedingly contracted; but I consider it necessary to acknowledge that the horse was perfectly free from lameness, and that my assistance was only required by the owner relative to the cutting. Accordingly, I gave my own shoeing-smith directions to shoe both fore feet to the extreme, against cutting, as follows:-A shoe of moderate substance, and of equal thickness toe and heels, to be nailed at the toe and outside quarter, with an extra nail or two at the outside heel, but not a single nail to be driven or hole punched in the inner half of the shoe, except one a little inclined to the inside toe, and all the inner edge of the shoe, that otherwise would have been fullered, to be bevelled off, to prevent the possibility of the iron interfering with the opposite leg, and, of course, to avail himself of a further advantage by rasping away the inner wall of the hoof as much as possible, without rendering the horse tender in his work, by apthe repetition proaching too near the quick. It was also arranged that this plan should be followed up at the termination of every three weeks, whether the shoes were worn out or not, and which was strictly attended to.

Necessity of

of this plan every three weeks.

At the expiration of three or four months,, this method of shoeing proved not only a perfect remedy for the cutting, but it also effected a most important