EXAMINING FOR SOUNDNESS AND HEALTH 47 



whether or not they are diseased or worn away 

 by age or by constant cribbing of the manger. Of 

 course these facts you will think of as you examine 

 the mouth. 



Give the tongue a second of your time. If it is 

 scarred and shows rough treatment a harsh bit is 

 likely the cause, due to its need in driving and 

 handling. 



Then give a thought to the glands while here. 

 Enlarged glands may indicate some scrofulous or 

 glanderous condition of the system. 



Neck and Throat. — A beautiful neck and throat 

 is an absolute beauty in the horse or cow. The 

 skin should be thin, mellow, and soft, and the hair 

 not over thick nor coarse. Look for poll-evil at 

 the top of the neck and head. See if swellings, 

 lumps or hard places are to be found at the sides 

 of the neck, or underneath joining the throat. I 

 have found such very frequent with dairy cattle; 

 and cases are not unusual with horses. 



Frequently scars are to be found on the sides or 

 bottom of the neck. These may be due to 

 scratches caused by nails, barb-wire or some sim- 

 ilar accident, and again they may have been caused 

 by sores, tumors, or other bad quality of the blood. 



Body and Back. — Passing the side, look over the 

 withers for galls or fistulse, the shoulders for 

 tumors, collar puffs, and swellings. Observe at 

 the same time if there is any wasting of the muscles 

 on the outside along the shoulder. 



Now the back. Is it right as to shape? Do you 

 find any evidence of sores or tumors? Look for 

 these along the sides and belly. Now stoop a bit 

 and look under; do you find anything different 

 from what is natural? In males look for tumor or 

 disease of the penis ; do the same with the scrotum. 



