698 SOUNDNESS. 



Modifying Circumstances. 



In deciding on the importance of any defect, apart from its own 

 gravity, we should take into consideration the pm-pose for which 

 the animal is intended; the work he has been doing; his age; and 

 any signs of former treatment which he may show. Thus, a splint, 

 in the case of a four-year-old which had evidently been idle for 

 some time, and which was intended for fast harness work, should 

 be regarded far more seriously than a similar one on the leg of an 

 aged, heavy cart-horse which had been, up to the date of examina- 

 tion, in constant employment between the shafts; supposing that 

 no lameness was present. 



Again, when examining a horse, if we found his feet somewhat 

 flat, and the frogs unusually large; the fact of the hoofs having 

 been carefully filed, with the probable view of making them appear 

 smooth and upright, might fairly influence us in rejecting the 

 animal, on account of his presumed liability to fever in the feet. 

 If we also observed that he had been bled from the coronet, or 

 jugular vein, our doubt would be still further strengthened. Also, 

 roughness of the hair over the back tendons and suspensory liga- 

 ment, as indicating the application, on some previous occasion, 

 of a blister, ought to redouble our attention as to the state of 

 the underlying structures. 



Duties of Veterinary Surgeons when Examining 



Horses. 



A veterinary surgeon, when examining a horse, should confine 

 himself to his own province, and should be careful to refrain from 

 volunteering his opinion as to conformation, action, suitability to 

 the purpose required, or any other matter, about which he is not 

 professionally concerned. The position is of course altered, if the 

 employer seeks the practitioner's advice on any particular point, or 

 puts himself entirely in his hands. I think, however, the veterinary 

 surgeon might with propriety, mention to his client any vices 

 which the horse showed, while the examination was being con- 

 ducted ; although he would notice in his certificate, only those that 

 might affect the animal's soundness; omitting, of course, such 

 vices as buckjumping, jibbing, and rearing, for example. 



Certificates. 



A certificate should, for purposes of identification, clearly describe 

 the horse which has been examined; should state his age, and all 



