AS TO SOUNDNESS. 21 
evidently taken place, and there was much contraction 
from cicatrisation. In such a case the horse is unsound ; 
because a horse, not being able to breathe through 
his mouth, requires a healthy pair of wide nostrils when 
used for speed or heavy draught. Again, from affec- 
tions of the facial division of the portio dura, or seventh 
pair of nerves, we not unfrequently have paralysis of 
the nostrils, complete or partial. When partial, it may 
escape a casual glance, and is only to be detected by 
the distress shown in a smart gallop, and the noise 
made under those circumstances. The Schneiderian 
membrane should not be dry, nor too wet, but be- 
dewed by innumerable drops, and should show no 
signs of ulceration nor evidence of catarrh. 
You next pass on to open the mouth in order to 
observe the teeth, gums, and tongue. The teeth are 
noticed most, and you are now to look for the indica- 
tions of the horse’s age as shown by them. It is not 
my duty now to teach you this; so that I pass on to 
remark that it is a common trick with “dealers” and 
others to extract the corner ‘‘ milk” teeth, to ‘“for- 
ward” the mouth. It is evident that, in such a case, 
you have not the proper corner teeth to observe, but 
you should notice the signs of youth in those that are 
left, and be guided more by their appearance than 
by the general aspect of the horse. Among others, 
two signs of extreme youth in the permanent incisors 
are their shelliness, and the prominence of the gums 
immediately behind them (/amgas), Then, again, the 
