LAM EN ESS. 
367 
Professor Coleman’s notion was, that “ every horse ought to be 
considered sound that could perform the ordinary duties of an ordi- 
nary horse.” This definition is open to the same objections as the 
judicial laws of Lords Mansfield and Tenterden: mange, diseases 
of the eye (so long as they are confined to one eye), nay, glanders* 
and farcy even, in certain stages, and some other diseases, do not 
incapacitate a horse, and yet they all amount to palpable unsound- 
ness. On the other hand, many a horse, from age or want of con- 
dition, or from possessing a constitution naturally weak or washy, 
is unfitted for what might be considered “ the ordinary duties of 
an ordinary horse,” and yet cannot be called unsound. Then, 
again, comes for explanation, what are to be regarded as the ordi- 
nary duties , and what we are to look upon as an ordinary horse: 
both equally indefinable with Lord Ellenborough’s standard of 
fitness , and with Lord Tenterden’s statu quo “ before the existence 
of the defect or blemish.” 
The late Mr. Castley, veterinary surgeon to the 12th Lancers — 
whose opinions on this subject, as well as on every other, his habits 
of acute and accurate observation rendered of peculiar value to 
us — felt inclined, to use his own words, “ to steer a middle course;” 
in accordance with which he “ ventured on the following propo- 
sitions : — •“ 1st. That all recognised disease constitutes unsound- 
ness for the time being .” “ 2dly. That changes of structure or an 
altered condition of parts, and derangement or impairment of func- 
tion, are allowed by all to be our two great landmarks in conduct- 
ing examinations for soundness.” The first of these “ propositions” 
is fairly inclusible in the second ; all disease consisting either in 
change of structure or change of function, and most disease involv- 
ing both these changes. And in regard to the second rule for our 
guidance, obvious and decisive as are changes of structure com- 
bined with deranged or impaired function of parts in general, there 
are still some of that trifling or uninfluential nature that can hardly, 
when they do exist, be looked upon as unsoundness : such are chro- 
nic or partial diseases of certain parts or organs, the obliteration of 
a veint or artery for example, the conversion of fibro-cartilage into 
bone, as in splint, chronic or partial disease of such an organ as the 
liver, &c. &c. 
Our present inquiry into the nature of soundness being restricted 
* A large carrying firm on the western road had, many years since, a great 
number of glandered horses working in entire teams: these horses were 
bought in young at high prices, but from neglect and mismanagement soon 
became infected with the disease, and in this state worked, in some instances, 
for many years. 
t It has happened, however, that a horse has been returned after purchase 
as “ unsound” in consequence of a lost (jugular) vein. 
