FIRST-HAND BITS OF STABLE LORE 



that the practically sound animal, varying only in 

 degree and amount of physical imperfections, is 

 the best to be expected. 



The veterinary surgeons should agree (as they 

 have it so easily in their power, through their 

 different associations, to do) upon some line of 

 action in this matter, which they will universally 

 adopt, and upon distinct modifications of the 

 requirements of the public, which they will rec- 

 ommend, publishing to the world exactly what 

 these are, and standing by them. The younger 

 members of the fraternity would be especially 

 helped by such action, for while they have, one 

 and all, the technical part of the profession at 

 their fingers* and tongues' end, they are neces- 

 sarily lacking in that practical application which 

 is so absolutely a matter of observation and ex- 

 perience. Carried away by enthusiasm for their 

 calling, and filled with lofty resolutions of never 

 passing an animal not perfectly sound ; rigor- 

 ously applying in all points the precepts of their 

 instructors, these young men unwittingly work a 

 lot of injustice to sellers, and prevent many buyers 

 from investing in horses perfectly suited to their 

 needs, and physically able for service of many 

 years* duration, simply because the animals are un- 



24 



