118 
ON SOUNDNESS AND UNSOUNDNESS. 
illustrations, in order to shew that there are many cases in which 
the distinction between health and disease is so slight, that 
difference of opinion must almost necessarily occur; and it un- 
fortunately happens that these are the species of cases that are 
most likely to come before a court of justice, while numbers of 
others, in which several veterinary surgeons entirely agree, occa- 
sions no notoriety whatever. But is our profession singular in 
this respect ? are there not numerous instances of the most re- 
markable discrepancies in the opinions of learned judges in their 
explication of the laws of warranty ? After all, my dear Sir, I 
agree with you, that there is far too much difference in the opinions 
and statements of practitioners with regard to soundness; and 
those professional (qr. unprofessional) encounters should, as 
much as possible, be avoided. The only plan that I can think 
of, as likely to conduce towards this purpose, would be for some 
veterinary surgeon to bring the subject fairly before the Medical 
Association, and for its members to meet together with the wish 
and desire to agree as muck as possible; they should then draw up 
the general principles on which all or the great majority might 
coincide ; and should endeavour to bring under the same head 
as many points of detail as possible, but mentioning those 
points and details on which a difference might be unavoidable. 
If this were done, and parties would, in some degree, merge a 
few differences on minor points , and try to agree as much as pos- 
sible, then certain data might be obtained, which would be of 
the greatest service to practitioners in general ; and those pro- 
fessional tournaments might be avoided, which are now so fre- 
quently witnessed in a court of justice, by which all are alike 
injured in the end, the victors and the vanquished, whichever 
for the time may prove triumphant. 
With regard to another branch of the subject which you have 
taken up, I must confess my opinion that a veterinary surgeon 
has nothing to do with the price of a horse, nor is he competent 
to judge of his merits, unless he gives him an extensive trial, of 
which neither his time will admit, nor the usual fee afford a suf- 
ficient remuneration. If a carriage-horse be the subject of 
examination, he had need to see him perform a journey before 
he can judge of his value; and if a hunter is the object, the 
practitioner must witness his performance through a good day’s 
hunting before he is able to judge of his merits, or tell whether 
he is worth £50 or £200. If a veterinary surgeon decides as to 
soundness, discovers the faults, and points out the blemishes, 
he has, I think, done his duty, and fairly earned his half guinea 
fee. Of course, if he is employed by a friend, he will give such 
advice in addition as one friend may be expected to give another, 
