124 THE ADVENTURES OF A GENTLEMAN 



A capped hock, as it is called, is a complaint that 

 should always excite suspicion. It is a soft, pulpy 

 tumor at the tip of the hock, and usually occasioned 

 by a blow or a kick against the side of the stall. 

 Where such a swelling is perceived, it should lead to 

 a very close examination of the whole joint, for it is 

 often caused by a violent sprain. If it appears to be 

 wholly independent of other injury, it can scarcely 

 be considered unsoundness, because it will not pro- 

 duce lameness : it is more prudent, however, to infer 

 that it is an indication of disease or latent injury of 

 the joint, and consequently to reject the horse. As 

 a general rule, it is more hazardous to buy where 

 these equivocal symptoms appear, than when there 

 are more decided marks of disease ; because the re- 

 medy on the warranty becomes far more doubtful. 



Grease is a discharge of matter from the heel, 

 most usually found in the hind feet, but not unfre- 

 quently before. It is attended with swelling and 

 excoriation of the skin, and when it has arrived at 

 any considerable extent, ulcers are formed, very 

 difficult indeed in their cure. A purchaser, however, 

 is not likely to meet with a horse exhibiting such 

 decided symptoms : it is only in the incipient stage 



