Purchase of Horses. 123 



case followed, but as usual, he who won, actually 

 lost. The defendant, although guilty and con- 

 victed, was not wort^ the paper upon which the 

 summons was printed, and a poor widow was 

 doubly a loser in consequence. 



Under such circumstances a warranty is of no 

 service whatever, and even in others where there 

 is no actual fraud existing in the transaction, 

 the opinions of many upon the existence or non- 

 existence of defects, and the constitution of un- 

 soundness, being at variance, much trouble and 

 vexation occurs. Nor is there any likelihood of 

 help from the law to be expected in future, at 

 least as far as can be seen at present. As science 

 advances and receives its share of encouragement 

 from the government and public, definite condi- 

 tions relative to certain diseases may be insisted 

 upon, but under present circumstances a warranty 

 affords but very slender protection, and is an in- 

 strument of little power where the parties con- 

 cerned are determined to be fraudulent. 



Certificates of Soundness. A very common 

 mistake occurs with many when purchasing horses; 

 that is, to seek a veterinary surgeon's opinion 

 after the contract is completed. This does not 

 always occur only with low-priced animals, but 

 frequently with those of high value. They are 

 examined and found defective, but there is no 

 help in many cases, and the affair amounts to so 

 much money absolutely thrown away. Purchasers 

 who desire a professional opinion upon the sound- 



