In the case of the shoe, however, all mankind are equally interested; and the ventilation of the subject is the more important that we submit in ignorance only, and do not voluntarily subject ourselves to those injuries to health, and, it may be added, to temper, directly and indirectly inflicted by badly-shaped shoes.
Camper, writing on this subject in the last century, very truly remarks—"All horse-doctors and horse-fanciers are interested in the shoeing of their horses, numerous papers appear thereon, and shall we not concern ourselves about the foot-gear of man?"
Camper's suggestions attracted considerable attention, but his plans found little or no encouragement, because they were so very impracticable, and, above all, because of the very clumsy form of shoe he recommended. May my little work be found more practical! I have, at all events, tried to produce a form in unison with the claims of elegance, and various trials have proved that my plans may be carried out with success.
Zurich, December 1857.
