58 
V KT i U IN A ItY J CJ R ISPRUD EN C E . 
He examined the hocks : there was spavin of the near hock. 
Spavin is the union of two or more bones of the hock going on to 
exostosis. There are placed at the upper part and on each side of 
the larger metatarsal, or principal bone of the hind leg of the horse, 
two smaller bones, one on each side, united to the larger by carti- 
lage, and on which, and especially on the inner one, a considerable 
portion of the weight of the horse is thrown. This connecting car- 
tilage is an elastic substance, and, by its yielding to the force im- 
pressed upon it, lessens the concussion and injury that would take 
place. A degree of weight may, however, be occasionally thrown 
on these bones too great for the elasticity of the cartilage to resist, 
and inflammation is set up in the part ; the cartilage is absorbed, 
and bone deposited, and in greater quantity than the cartilage ; and 
hence a certain stiffness of the joint, and a bony excrescence grow- 
ing on the part, and which is called a spavin . 
This bone, once. deposited, remains there for ever; and from the 
elasticity of the part being destroyed by the removal of the 
cartilage, the joint is liable to shocks and injuries which it would 
otherwise have sustained without harm. The spavin is too apt to 
increase, and cause greater and irreparable injury. The horse is 
unsound from the previous injury interfering with the action of the 
joint, and the possibility or probability of greater mischief occur- 
ring hereafter. 
He went with the horse to the Veterinary College on the very 
day that he was consulted about it. He there saw Mr. Spooner, 
by whom the animal was examined. He thinks that the appear- 
ances on the coronets and the hock must have been evident before 
the 24th of June. In consequence of this examination by Mr. 
Spooner and himself, Capt. Martin wrote to Mr. She ward, giving 
him notice that the horse was unsound, and that he should sell him 
if he were not taken back, and the price returned. 
Cross-examined . — He particularly observed the coronets — the 
cartilages had become ossified. There was perfect ossification. It 
was ascertained without the possibility of mistake, and at the an- 
terior portion of the coronet. The whole of the cartilages had not 
acquired a bony structure, but only at the anterior portion of them, 
and so as to be discovered by any person of skill making a careful ex- 
amination. The fore feet were much contracted. Both fore feet were 
so, but the off foot was the most contracted. There was also an unna- 
tural heat about the foot, although not that which could be said to be 
positive inflammation. This ossification could not have been formed 
in six weeks. There may or may not be considerable inflammation 
when the. bone is forming. It may be formed more or less quickly. 
This depends on the cause which produces it, and which may be 
slow or active at the commencement. The effect of this inflammation 
