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CHAPTER XXXI. 



Soundness. 



differences op opinion as to soundness definition of unsound- 

 ness practical soundness modifying ciegumstancbs duties 



of vbtbrinart surgeons when examining horses certifi- 

 cates price special .warranty vices and blemishes 



absolute unsoundness defects which are not necessarily 



unsoundness hereditary unsoundness. 



Differences of Opinion as to Soundness. 



The want of unanimity of opinion, even among members of the 

 veterinary profession, as to what constitutes and what vitiates 

 soundness, has always been a, fertile cause of dispute in horse 

 cases. Some practitioners refuse to give a certificate of soundness, 

 unless the animal is absolutely free from any physical ailment ; 

 and consequently they rarely, if ever, find a horse that comes up to 

 their ideal standard of perfection ; while others " pass " horses 

 which are fairly useful, but possess some defect or other that has 

 been decided in court over and over again to be a breach of 

 warranty of soundness. When an owner submits a horse for 

 examination, he has a right to expect that the veterinary surgeon, 

 when giving his opinion, will be guided by the principles recog- 

 nised by legal tribunals ; for it would be intolerable that any 

 private individual should attempt to constitute himself a legislator 

 on a subject of such widespread importance as this is. However 

 great the desire to eliminate causes of dispute as to soundness, this 

 can only be done in the matter of laying down principles ; for the 

 existence of defects, and their influence on the usefulness of an 

 animal, are questions which cannot fail at times to give rise to 

 diversity of opinion. The fact that it is impossible to define un- 

 soundness or soundness so accurately as to exclude all chance of 

 cavil, is of but little practical importance, so long as we can obtain 

 a good " working " definition which shall meet our everyday re- 



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