LAMENESS IN HORSES. 
605 
so suddenly obtained seems magical to those who have borne tes- 
timony as to its beneficial operation. This plan and method of 
using some of the agents were made known by me in that excellent 
periodical, the “ Farmer’s Magazine,” in the year 1840, in which 
a full account is given. Young stock in the county of Devon is 
peculiarly prone to this malady, there being so much low marshy 
land, small enclosures, and hedge fences ; complete hotbeds for the 
development of every kind of ova or filarial life. 
Your’s obediently, 
Robt. Read, Y.S., Crediton, Devon. 
W. Percivall, Esq., 
Editor of Tar Veterinarian. 
OBSERVATIONS ON LAMENESS IN HORSES. 
By William Gavin, M.R.C.V.S. 
To the Editor of “ The Veterinarian 
Dear Sir, — Having perused your valuable article on shoulder 
lameness, in the The Veterinarian for July, with great interest 
and profit, allow me the liberty of a few remarks suggested by it. 
The accurate diagnosis of lameness is certainly a very important 
branch of our profession ; and although we have many and useful 
rules for detecting it with certainty, it is much to be wished that 
we had more. It is with the conviction of the justness of your 
remark, that “ Nothing but steady observation, and faithful and 
frequent report, can clear up these matters,” that I take up the 
pen, hoping to benefit and be benefitted. There is one saying of 
Solleyselfs regarding shoulder lameness which you quote, on 
which I hardly think much dependence can be placed, and per- 
fectly agree with you, that we must have other marks of distinc- 
tion. The observation I allude to is the following: — “ The usual 
way to know whether the grief be in the shoulder or foot, is to 
observe whether the lameness be increased or abated by exercise ; 
for if it be in the shoulder, the horse will halt least while he is 
heated with riding ; but if in the foot, he will halt most when he 
is ridden.” Now, I have known horses lame from quittor go sound 
when “ heated with riding,” and the same with those suffering 
from navicular disease. Here I may observe, that authors and 
veterinarians have got into a habit of writing and speaking about 
navicular joint disease, till the veterinarians who see the objections 
to the term use it from the authority custom has given it, and for 
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