THE '^ screw/' 151 



theni — .'' I really can't trust myself to finisli spelling 

 the word from recollection. The former made soundness 

 in feet a matter of no moment ; the latter had the same 

 ejffect upon legs^ according to the advertisement. As I 

 say, I tried them, and this is the result of my experience. 

 The cushion would probably have performed its promise, 

 could it have been kept on ; but at all sorts of odd times, 

 and without any warning, cushion, shoe, and all would fly 

 off. Sometimes they kept on through a long day's 

 hunting ; at others ten minutes' walking exercise disposed 

 of them. While on, the tender-footed horse which wore 

 them went on the hard with great confidence ; his feet, 

 too, grew very fast. Now for the long word. The 

 application fines down some legs wonderfully, but on 

 others has less effect, and on fired legs, as far as I know, 

 none at all. I should much like to compare notes as 

 regards the latter phenomenon with anyone who has 

 tried the stuff. 



These patent medicines lead one's thoughts back to 

 veterinary practice ; and concerning the professors thereof 

 I must repeat (though with the utmost respect) that they 

 are not infallible, and that the young purchaser of horses 

 may often be mislead by them, to the extent of losing a 

 good and cheap horse. Without knowing anything of 

 his former history, the cleverest veterinary surgeon can 

 only guess at his capability of standing sound. He can 

 of course point out any present unsoundness, but he does 

 not always stop there : e.g., I knew a mare which, being 

 for sale, was examined, at the desire of a would-be 

 purchaser, by a vet. of extensive repute. The vet. 

 pronounced her sound at the time : " But," said he, 

 '^ don't buy her; she has one foot rather smaller than the 

 other, and will eventually be lame." The theory was 



