THE HOCK. 95 



The Stifle is rarely diseased, but any enlarge- 

 ment ot* so important a joint must be considered 

 as an unsoundness. 



The Groin is now and then the seat of a soft 

 compressible tumour, varying from the size of 

 an egg to that of a man's head. It is formed by 

 the escape of a portion of bowel from the cavity 

 of the belly, and is tlie same with what is de- 

 nominated rupture in the human being. It is 

 oftenest met with in the stallion, and then it 

 occupies the same bag with the testicle. But 

 though rupture, or hernia, as it is called in 

 medical language, is oftener met with in stal- 

 lions than geldings, yet it so rarely occurs in 

 either, that few look for it. It can do no harm 

 however, to take a glance at the groin, and see 

 that all be right. 



Hernia is decidedly an unsoundness. 



I may here observe, that in purchasing a 

 stallion, the testicles ought to be examined: but 

 the assistance of some one acquainted with their 

 healthy structure will here be necessary. 



The Hock. 

 It has been often remarked, that the foot 



