DETECTION OF THE SEAT AND CAUSE OF LAMENESS. 325 



cially young horses, when first put oil the bit and from not working 

 properly up to it, go in a peculiar manner, which is sometimes known as 

 " bridle-lameness." If the animal be led with a loose snaffle rein or a 

 halter, on the si'de opposite to that on which he is bridle lame, the un- 

 evenness of gait will disappear. 



650. Detection of 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 every 

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

 which 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 the 

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

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

 or in both hind, but not alike in each ; or in 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 secondary cause, such as corns, may modify the symptoms 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 Veterinary 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 horse 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 required. 



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 being examined as to soundness. Some ailments 

 are not noticeable, and many ailments are less noticeable after a horse 

 has been a little time in exercise. 



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

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

 position in which he stands, and whether he bears his weight evenly on 

 all his legs, or whether he points either foot or flexes his fetlock ; and as 

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



