246 MISTAKEN IDENTITY. 



these two men are noted specialists, the first consulted 

 enjoying a great reputation for keen perception of de- 

 fective respiration, the second an equal reputation for 

 fathoming both clear and occult diseases of the hock to 

 a certainty ; yet both stultified themselves, and each 

 in a way that one would have least anticipated ; for the 

 gentleman, being unable to suit himself elsewhere, 

 purchased the mare subsequently, and has worked 

 her regularly for four years, during which period 

 she has proved a thoroughly sound animal. 



Another remarkable, but still more unaccountable, 

 case occurred to the veterinary surgeon who was first 

 consulted in the previous instance. 



A noted dealer, being about to sell a high-priced 

 brougham horse, sent for him, and desired him to ex- 

 amine the horse, which he did, and gave a certificate of 

 soundness. 



The horse was therefore sold, warranted sound, to a 

 gentleman who also employed the same person as his 

 veterinary surgeon, and on the horse reaching his 

 stables sent for him to examine the same horse, which 

 he did — ignorant of the fact, one would suppose, that 

 it was the same horse — and gave a certificate of the 

 unsoundness of the very horse he had passed sound a 

 few days previously. 



Whereupon the dealer forwarded to him the previous 

 certificate, together with that which he had received 

 from the purchaser, at the same time reminding him 

 that the two certificates were for the same horse, and 

 requesting an explanation; at which news the vet. 



