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684 when the foot, limb, or even certain regions of the body, are irregular or defective, this handicraft may be successfully utilized in regulating, or curing, these. Science now-a-days requires that it may furnish more than a simple defence for the horny case; it must not only be a protector of nature's work, but it must also be a remedial agent when that work, from some cause or other, is deranged or imperfect so far as to be unserviceable to man. The mere mechanical workman, who sees nothing in the horse's foot but the horn, which he may cut and rasp away to suit his fancy, or through which he may recklessly drive any number of nails, and knows not how to apply the resources of this art to the many circumstances which urgently require a deviation from routine, is not the artisan who can truly minister in assisting, as well as protecting, nature. The art of farriery, by careful study, and by the application to it of those teachings which are to be derived from anatomy and physiology, should take the rank of a science; but even then it would, and must always, remain a science of practice and experience.

No more useful lesson can, perhaps, be read with regard to our management of the horse than that to be found in the history of horse-shoes and horse-shoeing. It is one in which humanity and utility have for many ages been, and probably always will be, deeply concerned; and it is one of the most sacred duties devolving upon us to see that, while we exact services from this noble creature which we could not obtain from any other, and which make its whole life one of slavery and toil, we do our