ON SOUNDNESS 259 
we still can have no difficulty in pronouncing the animal un¬ 
sound, 
3d, That in those instances where we do find an altered con¬ 
dition of parts, or a deviation from natural structure, but which 
is not accompanied either by lameness or with any percep¬ 
tible interruption, impairment, &c. of function, we are to be 
guided in our decision by the light of experience, and the prac¬ 
tice which time has sanctioned in like cases. 
If the structural change we observe be of such a nature as to 
be likely, in our judgment, to cause lameness, or to interfere with 
the function of the part, either when the horse is put to work or 
at no distant period; for instance, a spavin, a ring-bone, certain 
deformed states of the feet, &c., it is our duty, and I am sure it 
will be our safest rule, to call it unsoundness. But if, on the 
contrary, our experience has enabled us to say that the deviation 
from natural structure which we observe will never, in all pro¬ 
bability, either be the cause of lameness, or in any way interfere 
with the utility of the animal, as a splent, a sore frog, slight 
capsular enlargements, the remnant of a curb, and the like, 
we ought to give a verdict of sound. 
These rules apply equally to constitutional as to local causes 
of unsoundness: “ where the structural change is not visible, 
but w r e can infer its existence from the interruption, derangement, 
or impairment of function we observe and detect to be present.” 
This rule will apply to all altered conditions of the visceral and 
other organs, as far as such diseased states can be ascertained. 
Now I hope I have spoken out plainly, so that every body may 
understand me; for the non-veterinary wwld, as well as ourselves, 
have a right to be satisfied upon this point. 
You have put me upon the defensive—have forced me to shew 
front, and to deploy a little into line; but I am still in the nut¬ 
shell position, as you may perceive ; and it is not my intention to 
leave it, I assure you, or to admit into it any thing of a doubtful 
character. For as to the question of, whether a horse having 
one disease upon him at the time of sale is returnable for another 
that may supervene, so much will always depend upon what is 
said when the transfer takes place, and upon the subsequent 
treatment of the animal, that I must still persist in consigning 
this point to the lawyers, as one more properly within their pro¬ 
vince than ours—one that has more of law than physic in it. If 
a horse be suffering under catarrh at the time we examine him it 
will be our duty to point this out, as he is, at that time , in fact, 
in a state of recognised disease; and if the buyer chooses to take 
him with this flaw, he can have nobody to blame: but it the 
