EXAMINATION FOR PURCHASE 39 



here it may be necessary to observe, that in deciding upon 

 the disease with v/hich the horse is afflicted, it is requisite 

 to bear in mind the age of the animal. In examining the 

 head of a young horse, should the space between the 

 branches be hot, tumid, and tender, the membrane of the 

 nose intensely red, with profuse discharge from both nostrils, 

 and cough and fever present itself, we may more than 

 suspect strangles. Where, however, there is neither cough 

 nor fever, but one nostril, and that the left, affected, the 

 discharge lighter in colour, and almost transparent, 3^et 

 clammy and sticky, and the gland on that side adherent 

 to the jaw-bone, glanders is indicated. In this case, should 

 the lining membrane of the nostril be found pale, or of 

 a leaden colour, with small circular ulcers, having abrupt 

 and prominent edges, there can be no second opinion on 

 the subject. 



We caution the inexperienced examiner not to mistake 

 for an ulcer the orifice of the nasal duct^ which is situ- 

 ated in the inner side, just within the nostril on the con- 

 tinuation of the common skin of the muzzle, and which 

 conveys the tears from the eye into the nose. And yet 

 more seriously would we warn him, in all suspicious cases, 

 to be careful he has no chaps or sore places on his hands or 

 face. There is, unfortunately, no doubt that this dreadful 

 disease is communicable to the human being. As few 

 persons will buy a horse with any symptoms of actual 

 disease, however slight, if they can help it, the inquiry 

 is better left to a professional man, in case any of these 

 symptoms make their appearance after purchase. 



The Crest, Condition, Age. — His crest should feel hard 

 and full, and firmly and closely attached to his neck ; if it 

 be lax, he is out of condition. His skin should feel kind, 

 and look glossy, and the muscles of the body feel hard and 

 elastic to the touch. In the old horse, the head grows 

 lean and fine, and the features more striking and blood- 

 like, the neck fine, withers short, and the back sinks ; the 

 lips exhibit a lean and shrivelled appearance, and the 

 lower lip hangs considerably below the upper. In youth 

 they are round and plump, and meet together, and the 

 ridges of the roof of the mouth will be found prominent. 

 In age, the middle of the nose will sometimes be found 

 indented by the long-continued pressure of the nose-band 

 of the head -stall. 



