24 
VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE. 
this the defendant, denied, and said there was nothing but the pre- 
vious kick. The horse was eventually bought for £52, the 
defendant warranting him “ sound, except a kick on the hock.” 
The horse was string-halted on both legs. Veterinary surgeons 
and other witnesses were called on both sides, who all agreed 
there was string-halt, but differed in their opinion as to the exist- 
ence of spavin. 
To prove stringhalt unsoundness, Mr. Howarth, of Manchester, 
a veterinary surgeon, described stringhalt to be a spasmodic af- 
fection of the abductor muscle of the hind leg, a nerve coming 
through the trunk being affected : he said that the horse loses his 
condition and is not able to do so much work. 
Mr. Ellis, of Liverpool, a veterinary surgeon, stated that string- 
halt is a disease of the sciatic nerve, rendering a horse less fit for 
work, and impeding him in backing ; that he had practical expe- 
rience shewing it to be a disease. 
Mr. Bretherton, of Liverpool, a veterinary surgeon of twenty- 
four years’ practice, said that stringhalt is caused by pressure on 
the sciatic nerve ; that it increases by work, and is unsoundness. 
He had seen horses become quite useless from it ; that more aggra- 
vated cases were seen in the country than any submitted to the 
Veterinary College; that he had seen horses in his father’s sta- 
bles quite useless from it ; that at first it is only observable when 
the horse is turning round. 
Mr. Gregson, a veterinary surgeon, called by the defendant, had 
attended the horse, and did not consider stringhalt unsoundness ; 
but on being questioned by the Judge, admitted that it frequently 
gets worse, and when very bad impedes the action of the horse, 
making him less competent for work. 
Mr. Taylor, another veterinary surgeon, said that stringhalt 
does not impair a horse’s condition ; he had examined the horse, 
and considered him sound. 
Upon this, Mr. Justice Creswell said, “ It is a question for the 
Jury, whether stringhalt produces those effects which, in the eye 
of the law, renders him unsound.” And in summing up, shortly 
afterwards, his Lordship said to the Jury, “You have heard the 
evidence as to stringhalt : if you are satisfied that it is a disease 
calculated to impair the natural usefulness of the horse, you must 
find for the plaintiff, it being admitted that the horse had it.” 
The Jury found a verdict for the plaintiff. 
