ON SOUNDNESS. 
13 
to enlarge somewhat upon the subject. Many veterinary 
surgeons, after having been some years in practice, have 
thought it both proper and expedient to pass over in their 
examination of horses many slight ailments that are consi- 
dered legally and technically to constitute unsoundness ; 
from the fact of their having seen horses, which, perhaps, 
years before they have rejected as unsound, continue to do 
strong work without those ailments in any possible way 
deteriorating from their real value or usefulness. But while 
some have thought fit to relax on this point, there are others 
equally experienced who still go on regarding any departure, 
however slight, from perfect and normal structure to be un- 
soundness. They fear that should an animal be passed as 
sound by them it may be taken to another professional man 
and be rejected, thereby opening a door for disputes and liti- 
gation. I quite agree, therefore, with Mr. Hawthorn, that 
the whole matter should be revised by a number of expe- 
rienced veterinary surgeons, and “ in such a manner as to 
reduce the number of disputes which now make horse-causes 
a bye word and a disgrace to all parties.” I hope by the 
quotation of the following cases to better illustrate the 
subject. 
First. A horse is brought to me to be examined, I pass 
him sound with a splint. He is purchased by an inex- 
perienced young gentleman and taken home. A few days 
after he is ridden to a meet of foxhounds. Of course, being 
a fresh one, he is scrutinized and pulled to pieces by the field, 
one of which, more knowing than the rest in horse matters, 
says, “ A neat nag, very neat ; but unsound I see.” The 
young gentleman turns round quickly in his saddle. “ Un- 
sound ! Nonsense. So-and-so passed him, and gave me 
a certificate of soundness,” which certificate perhaps he 
pulls out of his waistcoat pocket. “ I don’t care,” says the 
knowing one, es what So-and-so says ; I say he has got a 
splint, and a horse with a splint is unsound.” The young 
gentleman fidgets, and is uncomfortable. At that moment 
a fox breaks cover; the hounds rattle him away, and a good 
run finishes with a kill. The horse goes well, and for a time 
the splint is forgotten. But the next morning the owner 
goes to the stable, feels his horse’s legs — still the splint — 
consults the groom who pulls a long face (perhaps he has 
not been “ tipped”), and the consultation ends in the horse 
being sent to another veterinary surgeon to be examined, 
and he is pronounced to be unsound, he believing at the 
time he is right in what he has done. The horse is sent 
back to the seller ; he refuses to receive him ; an action at 
