334 
VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE. 
depends on where the pain is. If in the heel, the pressure will be on the 
toe ; if in the toe, the pressure will be on the heel. I made a memorandum 
of my opinion after examining the horse. I also wrote this letter. I did not 
state in that letter that the lameness proceeded from the shoeing. I did not 
consider that the horse was in the condition that would enable me to give 
a correct opinion. I wrote the letter with an expectation that it would be 
shewn to Mr. Maxwell, in order to obtain an adjustment without the ne- 
cessity of coming into a court of law. [The letter was read, in which Mr. 
Peech stated that the lameness, he thought, would be temporary ; that the 
horse had had a severe day or two ; and, from what he knew of Mr. Morris’s 
stables and the horse, he had no doubt he would soon be better.] When 
I wrote the letter, I thought it was probable it might be shewn to Mr. Max- 
well. I did say in the presence of Mr. Lockwood that the horse was shod 
too short, and that there was too much weight upon the heels. I dis- 
tinctly stated to Mr. Lockwood that the horse was lame from shoeing. I 
said to him that I could not by any means ride that horse without his turning 
lame. A contracted foot does not frequently produce lameness : in my opinion 
it seldom does. 
Mr. Wortley. — Is that your opinion, Mr. Peech, as a professional man ? 
Mr. Peech. — That is my opinion. 
Mr. Wortley. — Can you find me any authority in any of the medical books 
that have been published on the subject for such an opinion ? 
Mr. Peech. — I have no doubt I could, if I had the opportunity of examining. 
Mr. Wortley. — What book would you refer to ? 
Mr. Peech. — I should refer to that published by the Society for the Diffu- 
sion of Useful Knowledge. 
Mr. Wortley. — (Handing up a book.) — That is the work to which you allude. 
Mr. Peech. — It is. 
Mr. Wortley. — Then will you take it, and read to me any passage which 
confirms or justifies such an opinion as you have expressed ? 
Mr . Peech , after a few minutes’ delay, read the following passage : — 
“ It must be premised that there is a great deal more horror of contracted 
heels than there is occasion for. Many persons reject a horse at once if the 
quarters are wiring in ; but the fact is, that, although this is an unnatural 
form of the hoof, it is slow of growth, and nature kindly makes that provision 
for the slowly altered form of the hoof which she does in similar cases — she 
accommodates the parts to the change of form. As the hoof draws in, the 
parts beneath, and particularly the coffin-bone, and especially the heels of 
that bone, diminish ; and, after all, it is more a change of form than of ca- 
pacity. As the foot lengthens in proportion as it narrows, so does the coffin- 
bone, and it is as perfectly adjusted as before to the box in which it is 
placed. Its laminae are in as intimate and perfect union with those of the 
crust as before the hoof had begun to change. On this account it is that 
many horses with very contracted feet are perfectly sound, and no horse should 
be rejected merely because he has contraction. He should, undoubtedly, be 
examined more carefully, and with considerable suspicion ; but if he has good 
action, and is otherwise unexceptionable, there is no reason that the purchase 
should not be made. A horse with contracted feet, if he goes sound, is better 
than another with open but weak heels.” 
Re-examined. — When I saw the horse on the 30th of December, he was not 
in a condition to be examined, but I thought his lameness was temporary. 
From my observation since, I am convinced my opinion was a correct one. I 
saw the horse on Tuesday, and he now goes sound, with the exception of the 
near hind leg. I have seen rims on horses’ feet. They have no indication 
of disease, and are cured by a few strokes of the rasp. 
