AS TO SOUNDNESS. 21 



evidently taken place, and there was much contraction 

 from cicatrisation. In such a case the horse is unsound; 

 because a horse, not being able to breathe through 

 his mouth, requires a healthy pair of wide nostrils when 

 used for speed or heavy draught. Again, from affec- 

 tions of the facial division of the poi'tio dura, or seventh 

 pair of nerves, we not unfrequently have paralysis of 

 the nostrils, complete or partial. When partial, it may 

 escape a casual glance, and is only to be detected by 

 the distress shown in a smart gallop, and the noise 

 made under those circumstances. The Schneiderian 

 membrane should not be dry, nor too wet, but be- 

 dewed by innumerable drops, and should show no 

 signs of ulceration nor evidence of catarrh; 



You next pass on to open the mouth in order to 

 observe the teeth, gums, and tongue. The teeth are 

 noticed most, and you are now to look for the indica- 

 tions of the horse's age as shown by them. It is not 

 my duty now to teach you this ; so that I pass on to 

 remark that it is a common trick with " dealers " and 

 others to extract the corner " milk "' teeth, to ** for- 

 ward'^ the mouth. It is evident that, in such a case, 

 you have not the proper corner teeth to observe, but 

 you should notice the signs of youth in those that are 

 left, and be guided more by their appearance than 

 by the general aspect of the horse. Among others, 

 two signs of extreme youth in the permanent incisors 

 are their shelliness, and the prominence of the gums 

 immediately behind them [lampas). Then, again, thg 



