OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS. 139 
is quite possible we might not be cognisant of the existence 
of inflammation. 
Gleet is supposed to be a disease left by a chronic attack 
of inflammation of the mucous surfaces^ and that aged horses 
are more susceptible of it than young ones. The colour of the 
membrane is not of that healthy pink; it now assumes a 
darker^ a sort of lead-coloured hue, which must be seen to be 
thoroughly understood. The discharge is of various con¬ 
sistence, now thick, at another time thin, and so on. It is, 
however, at that stage of the complaint when the disease is 
su[)posed to have been cured, or no disease at all exists, that 
we are likely to have our attention directed to it; when it is, 
in fact, what the owner or breeder of the animal would call 
nothing.’^ This is the most insidious, and at the same 
time most dangerous, form of the complaint, and one which 
requires our best services. I have often failed to detect any 
alteration of the submaxillary glands in these affections. It 
is said that if nasal gleet is communicable by means of ino¬ 
culation, the glands would assume that particular appearance 
met with in glanders. In the case referred to by me I could 
not say there was any change discernible in the glands of 
the pony ; the only symptom present w^as the altered colour 
and appearance of the Schneiderian membrane. I have often 
observed this membrane to assume a striated aspect, w^hich 
has induced me to look closely for other symptoms, and such 
was the case in this instance. A practitioner of veterinary 
medicine, and a man with a diploma, too, examined the pony 
referred to—w^as actually aware of the experiment and its 
results upon the ass—yet gave a certificate to the effect that 
the animal was sound and free from disease^ and especially ^yas 
he free from glanders. I cannot understand how any man can 
do such extraordinary things as these, if he has a reputation at 
stake. I can only account for it in one wmy—viz., such 
persons as I mentioned never reflect^ never give themselves 
any trouble concerning the profession they are members of. 
With this experience before us, we cannot exercise too much 
caution in endeavouring to ascertain every particular, and all 
the symptoms relating to diseases of the membrane of the 
nose. 
It has been said the Schneiderian membrane is very thick; 
that it lines the cavities of the fossae; that its colour is of a 
pinkish hue; that it is influenced greatly by atmospheric 
air; and it may be added, by the gases found in the stable; 
also that it secretes mucus, &c. This all reads well. How 
often are we told that this membrane assumes a perfectly 
healthy appearance, when in fact it is not healthy? Often 
