journey, from the outrageous treatment their feet were subjected to, as well as from the terrible basin-shaped clumsy shoes, is fully evidenced by the numerous recipes this admirable horseman gives for 'stoppings' to be applied while travelling. We have also directions 'how to helpe the surbating or sorenesse in the feete.' These are, as might be expected, on a par with the general management of the hapless organs. 'When you find your horse to be surbated, presently clap into each of his fore-feet two new-layd eggs, and crush them therein, then upon the toppe of them lay good store of cow-dung; thus stop him (or, rather, the horse's feet), and in foure houres he will recover.'
It is not until we arrive at the 18th century, that anything worthy of notice occurs relative to this subject, in England. It may be mentioned, however, that the 17th century produced the first treatise on the Anatomy of the Horse, by Snape (London, 1683), farrier to his Majesty King Charles II., a very estimable work, and one which did good service in drawing attention to the value of anatomy, particularly with regard to the horse's foot.
In France, in the 15th century, the community of maréchaux comprised the maréchaux ferrants and the maréchaux grossiers. The latter were only carriage-smiths, and had nothing to do with horses. The maitrises, or 'trade freedoms' were, however, abolished in February, 1776, and the farriers stood upon their own proper designation. In the following August, the trade companies were again formed, and the maréchaux ferrants were classed with the éperonniers or spur and bit makers; an
