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state it is inclined to be concave ; whenever it is 

 found to be flat, and still more if any convexity is 

 apparent, the purchaser may safely conclude that 

 the horse is either lame or will soon become so : 

 I should consider a fault of this kind quite con- 

 clusive. A want of substance in the heel is a usual 

 accompaniment of a convex foot. 



The frog of the foot should be firmly pressed 

 between the finger and thumb : if any white matter 

 flows from it, there is a thrush ; and this denotes 

 a tenderness of the foot. It often exists without 

 visible lameness ; but a sharp stone will bring the 

 horse down. It is the more important to be par- 

 ticular in observing the existence of a thrush, be- 

 cause I know that a difference of opinion prevails 

 among farriers whether it amounts to unsoundness : 

 of course it would be hazardous in such a case 

 to rely upon a warranty. The flow of matter is 

 easily checked by the application of a little sul- 

 phuric acid ; and then the existence of the disease, 

 if such it be considered, is not discovered by the 

 eye ; but if the foot has a fetid smell, it is pro- 

 bable that the frog is rotten, and by this means the 

 purchaser may still be put upon his guard. It is 

 comparatively of little consequence when a thrush 

 is found only in the hind feet. 



A corn is another disease not to be detected by 



