HINTS TO THE PURCHASEllS OF HORSES. 395 



Cutting, particularly speedy cutting, constitutes unsoundness 

 only when it cannot be remedied by care or skill. 



Opaque specks or streaks in the transparent cornea, evidently 

 the effect of blows or accidents, and attended with no inflam- 

 mation, do not constitute unsoundness unless they materially 

 interfere with vision. 



Very slight specks on the crystalline lens, evidently on its 

 capsule and not in its substance, often disappear, and rarely 

 prove injurious, and therefore should not be considered un- 

 soundness. This, however, is a disputed point. 



Quidding is generally removeable, but, when confirmed, it 

 often materially impairs the usefulness of the horse, and in such 

 case is unsoundness. 



Drao-ging the toes of the hind feet so as to wear away the 

 crust to such a degree as to cause or threaten lameness is cer- 

 tainly unsoundness, and in a lesser degree constitutes a blemish. 



Tliose defects comprehended under the term blemishes are : — 

 Scars, the effects of broken knees ; capped hocks, splents, bog 

 spavins, and thoroughi)ins, even when these defects do not 

 occasion unsoundness; loss of hair from blisters or scars; en- 

 largements from blows or cutting ; specks or streaks on the 

 cornea, and a few others unnecessary to mention. 



Under the term vices we comprehend — restiveness, shying, 

 bolting, running away, kicking, rearing, biting, kicking in the 

 stable or when shoeing, weaving or moving the head fi'om side 

 to side, string-halt, confirmed quidding or throwing out the 

 food. Slipping the halter, or being frequently cast in the 

 stable, may also amount to vice. 



It is the duty of a veterinary surgeon to point out blemishes 

 and vices too, when he perceives them, and when there are any 

 doubtful points, such as curbs or specks in the eye, a specific 

 warranty should be given that such defects shall not prove In- 

 jurious, within a given time, — a precaution as desirable for the 

 seller as the buyer. It must be borne in mind, that a horse may 

 have serious defects not comprehended in the above description, 

 yet requiring much vigilance and materially affecting the value 

 of the animal, such as stumbling, droi)ping, crooked and stale 

 fore legs ; or, indeed, any bad conformation of Importance. 



Since the last edition of this work was published, county 

 courts have been established, and their jurisdiction have lately 

 been extended to amounts o^ £50; so that the greater number 

 of horse causes can now be decided by this comparatively 

 cheap tribunal. Previously it was considered as a most inju- 

 dicious act to attempt to recover damages on the ground of 

 breach of warranty or fraud, as, even if successful, the expenses 

 exceeded the damages ; and, owing to this fact, _ many horse- 

 dealers were enabled to practise fraud with impunity. — Ed.] 



