WARRANTY OF SOUNDNESS, ETC. 
301 
matter out. 5 * Either of them did quite as much for his 
master’s cause as Mr. Hales, perhaps rather more, As far 
as I recollect, Mr. Hales did not even endorse his professional 
colleague’s opinion about the frequent occurrence of oplw 
thalmia on the stopping of the discharge. So far from having 
been the “ principal cause ” of obtaining the verdict, about 
which he is so exultant, I am of opinion that Mr, Hales 
really did less towards such a result than any other of the 
plaintiff’s witnesses, even than the humblest of this gentle-? 
man’s menials, The bringing forward of two or three 
domestic servants^ so ignorant of the subject that they did 
not know the difference between the “ near side ” of a horse 
and the “ off side,” to establish the existence of disease and 
symptoms of disease which had altogether escaped the ob^ 
servation of veterinary witnesses, was certainly a bold and 
ingenious stroke of poliey, and the success with which it 
was attended in this instance may very likely lead to an ex- 
tension of the principle. After what has occurred, I shall not 
be surprised, in the next horse-case that comes from “ the 
Principality,” to see Betty the house-maid, or Molly the cook, 
put into the witness-box, for the removal of some little diffi- 
culty in the way of the professionals. Such a proceeding 
could hardly fail of success. Respect for the sex, an appeal 
to the gallantry of the court — what beautiful subjects are 
these for the eloquence of an advocate. It is idle to say such 
things are extravagant and out of place. There is nothing 
too extravagant for a court of law, no absurdity which 
may not be capped in a horse-case — especially a Welsh 
one. 
So much for the facts ” which it has pleased Mr. Hales 
altogether to ignore, and of which I will not be prevented 
from saying, I have no faith in any of them. I do not look 
upon thrush of the hind foot as a very serious disease, of 
necessity impairing an animal’s value and usefulness. I do 
not believe that either (e contraction ” or Cf ophthalmia ” is 
a frequent, or even possible result of such an affection. Nor 
do I believe that the mare in question was ever, even for a 
moment, under any circumstances, lame from the insignifU 
cant cause assigned. And with this emphatic expression 
of opinion I am satisfied to dismiss this portion of the 
subject. 
Of the principle involved in the verdict it is not necessary 
to say much, because on this I think there will be but little 
difference amongst men whose opinions are worth anything 
at all. The Gordian knot which some of the most distin- 
guished members of our profession are seeking to unravel, is 
