140 
ON SOUNDNESS. 
prospect before us, and probably had reason; but I think all 
abuses should be made known, and such measures as would be 
most likely to advance the profession clearly stated. I hope, and 
believe, that most of us entertain feelings of regard for those 
who have afforded us instruction; and it would be a painful task 
to expose errors or misdeeds; but, if public good requires it, such 
feelings should be sacrificed. Although the abilities of the Col¬ 
lege officers can scarcely be questioned, yet any acts which show 
a disposition to monopoly or private profit are fair subjects for 
remark, and unworthy of the professors of a national institution. 
I was much interested by Mr. Percivall’s paper “ On Sound¬ 
ness/’ and the consequent discussion ; and am induced to offer 
my humble opinion on the subject; yet without the vain hope of 
setting the matter at rest, as there is such a variety of cases and 
circumstances by which the minds and actions of men are liable 
to be influenced. If soundness is allowed to have any definite 
meaning, it must, I think, be perfect health, or freedom from 
disease; therefore, any thing which can possibly, now or at any 
future time, interfere with any particular function, or the service of 
the whole, must be unsoundness: but, in applying this to dis¬ 
puted cases, it should be proved that actual disease, or a usual 
precursor of disease did exist before or at the time of sale. With 
regard to examination at the time of sale, I think that no one 
can positively say a horse is sound : he may not see any thing to 
the contrary, and therefore give an opinion to that effect; or he 
may point out demonstrable disease, state the probable conse¬ 
quences, and thereby enable the purchaser to judge for himself, 
and to reject the horse, or take him with a particular warranty. 
ON SOUNDNESS —A LETTER ADDRESSED TO 
Mr. CASTLEY BY Mr. W. PERCIVALL. 
Regent's Park, February 4th, 1830. 
My dear Sir, —Since the present letter is on the subject of 
“ Soundness/' on which, as you know, I have already published 
a paper in The Veterinarian ; and since it is in reply to a com¬ 
munication of yours on the same subject, which appears also in 
that Journal for the present month, I am sure you will excuse the 
liberty I take in addressing you through the same public medium. 
I can assure you it gives me pleasure to address you, be the me¬ 
dium vvliat it may; for, although I cannot boast of the long and 
intimate acquaintance with you .which my father and several 
