272 VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE. 
greater or less size in the choroid plexus in the brain, or in some 
part of the spinal cord, and manifests itself by a spasmodic jerk 
of the hind legs, according as the disease affects one or both. 
The horse in question being in perfect health, the disease must 
have been of slow and gradual progress. Had he been free 
from stringhalt, the hind foot would have cleared the ground 
about five inches in stepping, but the effect of stringhalt would 
raise the leg about a third more. The disease is, in my opinion, 
incurable. 
William Worthington , assistant to William Dick, professor 
of veterinary medicine, corroborated the preceding witness’s 
evidence, but did not inquire and does not know by whose in- 
structions Alexander Watt examined the horse in question : — 
he deposed that he is forty-four years of age, and holds his 
diploma from the Veterinary College of Edinburgh. 
This was the case for the pursuers. 
On the part of the defenders, appeared John Kinnaird, ser- 
vant to Messrs. Robertson, music-sellers, who, being sworn, 
deposed : — I remember, at the request of Messrs. Robertson, 
music-sellers, Edinburgh, taking a black gelding to Mr. Dick, 
in Clyde-street, for examination. After a few short turns in 
the street, and shewing the horse, Mr. Dick said he thought he 
was sound, and he told me to tell my master this. The above 
happened in the month of May last. 
Peter Denholm, hostler to the defender, being sworn, deposed 
and concurred with the preceding witness as regards the ex- 
amination by Mr. Dick, and what Mr. Dick gave as his opinion 
after he looked at the horse. Being present along with Kin- 
nard on the occasion, depones that he had looked after and fed 
the horse for five months ; that it was neither sick nor lame, 
nor was any thing the matter with it all the time he had charge 
of it. He had driven the horse in a brougham, and never saw 
the animal affected with stringhalt, which he considers to be a 
kind of lameness behind, as far as he knew ; but he was not 
much acquainted with it. 
Thomas Pollock, veterinary surgeon, Edinburgh, who, being 
sworn, deponed, I am twenty-eight years of age, and hold my 
diploma from Mr. Dick. I recollect the defender and myself 
driving in a dog-cart with the horse in question on the 28th 
of May, 1848. I recollect, on the Monday following, again 
driving the same horse, in company with the defender, to Leith, 
when he was sold to the pursuers, after a sufficient trial in their 
van. I remember, before the bargain was ultimately concluded, 
‘ that the defender said that, ten days previous, Mr. Dick had 
passed the horse sound for Messrs. Robertson, music-sellers ; I 
also said, that I had known the horse all the time the defender 
