EXAMINATION AS TO SOUNDNESS. '249 



except that I mean to drink port instead of sherry.' 

 And he has been as good as his word, having seen 

 twelve years roll by in perfect enjoyment of health and 

 strength, which appears to have increased with the 

 more generous diet. 



After this lengthened but necessary explanation of 

 the ridiculous position taken up by some veterinary 

 and medical empirics, and specialists or quacks — who 

 should give their advice gratis for all it is worth — I 

 must hasten to resume the consideration of the fair 

 duties of the veterinary surgeon with regard to the 

 examination of the horse as to soundness. 



In the first place, let the person conducting the ex- 

 amination, on approaching the horse carefully, look at 

 the expression of the eyes and carriage of the head ; 

 for if he should notice anything peculiar, he will have 

 time to consider and note the existence of megrims 

 during the remainder of the examination. 



Next let him examine the veins on either side of the 

 neck, and ascertain whether the horse have been bled 

 lately, also the larynx for any ossification or enlarge- 

 ment. Then let him turn his attention to the fore 

 limbs, and examine the knees carefully for exostosis, 

 &c. (which far more frequently exists than is generally 

 supposed), and inside the knees for marks of speedy 

 cutting. 



He will then examine each fore leg carefully, both 

 above and below, both inside and outside each fetlock 

 joint, for the purpose of ascertaining whether neurotomy 

 have been performed ; during which research he will 



