DETECTION OF TUE SKAT AND CAUSE OF LAMENESS. 325 



cially youii<r liorses, wlieu first put on the bit aud from not working 

 ]troi»orly up to it, go in a peculiar manner, wliich is sometimes known as 

 "bridle-lameness." If the animal be led \\ith a loose snattle rein or a 

 halter, on the side opjtosite to that on which he is bridle lame, the un- 

 evenness of <rait will disappear. 



tj.50. Detection u/ the seat and cause of Lameness. 



In some cases the seat and cause of lameness is obvious enough, but 

 not unfrequently it is obscure, sometimes very obscure. Almost eveiy 

 cause of lameness has, however, some peculiarity in its symptoms, by 

 whicli it may be distinguished. 



Occasionally the difficulty of ascertaining the real cause is aggravated 

 by the existence of more than one cause sufficient to account for tho 

 lameness ; or the horse may be lame in more than one place, as for 

 instance in both fore-legs or feet, but perhaps not ecjually so in each ; 

 or in both hind, but^ot alike in each ; or iu one hind and one fore leg 

 and so on. In such complicated cases the animal saves the lame leg or 

 legs by throwing his weight on the sound ones in so peculiar a manner, 

 that great and constant practice is needed to form a correct opinion ; 

 or again a secondar}' cause, such as corns, may modify the symjitoms of 

 a more serious disease. 



In very many, we may say indeed in most cases, the art of the Vete- 

 rinary Surgeon consists more in rightly discerning the real cause and 

 seat of lameness, than in the treatment of the disease ; and it is only by 

 accurate and constant observation and experience that he can acquire this 

 knowledge. The treatment is in general exceedingly simple. Herein 

 the Vcterinaiy differs greatly from the Medical art. In the human sub- 

 ject, the patient is able in most cases to indicate at least the seat of his 

 disease. The hoi^se is incapable of giving this assistance ; and we are 

 left to infer, as we best can, the seat and nature of the affection. 



We shall now endeavour to give a few general rules, which may assist 

 the reader in forming an opinion as to the seat and cause of lameness in 

 various cases. He must not, however, imagine that a knowledge of this 

 difficult portion of the art of the Veterinarian can be acquired by read- 

 ing only. Constant practice, keen observation, much trouble and time 

 are also reiiulrcd. 



651. Mode of examining a horse. 



It is essential that the horse should have been in a state of rest for 

 some hours previous to beinir examined as to soundness. Some ailment^s 

 are not noticeable, aud many aihuents are less noticeable after a horse 

 has been a little time iu exercise. 



Before a horse is brought out for examination, veiy much is to be 

 gleaned in the stable about his soundness or othenvise by noting the 

 I'osition in which he stands, and whether he bears his Aveight evenly on 

 all his legs, or whether he jjoints either foot or flexes his fetlock ; and a.s 

 regards his hind quarters, whether he keeps either leg flexed, or in other 



