CAUSES OF UNSOUNDNESS. 77 



continuing in this condition, until complete dis- 

 organisation had taken place. 



Cataract. — This is a disease affecting the crystalline 

 lens, its capsule, or both lens and capsule, and 

 has been a frequent cause of litigation and 

 will probably be so until the end of time. A 

 cataract may be either partial or complete, de- 

 pending upon the area of the lens affected, and the 

 degree of affected sight varies in accordance with 

 the extent of the diseased process. For convenience, 

 let us suppose that A. purchases a horse from B. 

 with a general warranty of soundness, and that the 

 animal has been in the possession of K. for a week, 

 and that he then discovers, after consulting an 

 expert, that one of the eyes is affected with 

 cataract. The buyer may have been led to suspect 

 the existence of some defect of the eye perhaps, 

 through the animal shying, and, having been 

 informed of its nature, seeks the restitution of 

 the purchase money, with or without any ex- 

 pense incurred, or compensation for any injury, 

 personal or otherwise, that may have arisen 

 through such cause. The question now arises. 

 How long does it take for a cataract to form ? 

 Expert opinions will be adduced 'pro and con. 

 re the duration of the disease in the animal ; 



