308 
THE AGE OF THE HORSE. 
which is the lame leg : we watch the rise and the fall or " drop,” 
sometimes nodding our own head in concert with the nod of that 
of the lame horse, by way of setting up a sort of memorandum or 
note in our own mind to guide us to a surer diagnosis. I remem- 
ber the late Professor Coleman was in the habit of doing this ; 
[To be continued.] 
THE AGE OF THE HORSE. 
By Mr. Richard Pritchard, VS., Wolverhampton .1 
I AM induced to offer a few remarks on the age of the horse 
as known by the teeth, from the very important communication on 
the subject by Mr. Goodwin, Y.S. to the Queen; and I agree with 
him in recommending every member of the veterinary profession 
to embrace every opportunity in acquiring a perfect knowledge of 
the development of the teeth, not from others' lips and books , but 
from the only true source, the animal’s mouth. The subject is one 
of vast importance to us, just now, when the principal parties en- 
gaged on the turf are looking to us for indubitable information. 
It is pretty generally believed that we know sufficient on the 
question to answer every purpose ; and I do hope and trust veteri- 
nary surgeons will qualify themselves for the task, and shew to 
the public that they are so qualified by an accordance of opinion, 
and no more of those disgraceful scenes in courts of law (transmitted 
to print for our future perusal, and that of the public generally) 
that have been several times of late recorded. 
Mr. Goodwin recommends to the Jockey Club a tribunal of ve- 
terinary surgeons — of men competent by experience to decide on 
the important matters likely to come before them. This is very 
proper in principle, but I fear it would prove bad in practice, as 
we appear to stand relative to the welfare of each other as profes- 
sional men. There is so much, apparently, jealous feeling cleaving 
to the members of our profession, that, rather than elevate their 
general reputation by trying to accord in opinion on matters 
brought before them, they endeavour to refute each other’s judgment 
to whomsoever employs them ; thus, that good opinion the public is 
ready and willing to sustain, is beaten and trodden down from day 
to day and time to time, whenever occasion offers. Alhoit, 1 hope 
and' trust that the day is fast approaching when education shall stand 
