OBSl'RVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS. 
725 
and the tumour of very small size and deep seated. But 
there was an evident increase of temperature of the part, 
added to which the animal was very tenacious of being han¬ 
dled about the head, more particularly at that part where 
poll-evil is situated. One should always look carefully at 
the seat of this affection, especially when the animals evince 
a dislike to pressure of the skin. Although no practitioner 
could state positively that poll-evil would be seen in any definite 
time, he may call the attention of the purchaser to the 
appearance of the part, and express an opinion accordingly; 
' which will, I think, be as far as he will be justified in going. 
We now ju'ccced to the jugular veins, to ascertain if they 
are sound. If a vein is absent or impervious, it will not be 
advisable to let it pass without especial mention. Loss of 
jugular vein, as well as the former disease, is of necessity 
unsoundness. It is usual about this stage to pinch the throat, 
so as to cough the animal—remarks upon which will be 
made in their proper place. The withers will next arrest our 
attention. At this part of the examination we sometimes 
are apt to overlook some minor points, for the reason that all 
the diseases at this particular part are produced by a misfit¬ 
ting saddle or roller. This seems a sufficient excuse for the 
seller: and the buyer will, as a general rule, accept the expla¬ 
nation ; that is to say, he effects the purchase. We should, 
however, remove from ourselves the chance of blame, by 
giving an opinion in a candid manner as to the state of the 
part; together with the probability of its being placed under 
treatment at some not far distant date. 
The muscles of the shoulder will require a little looking 
at. We occasionally meet with horses with loss of substance 
between the withers and point of the shoulder. I have seen 
some horses whose spinatae muscles were almost entirely 
absorbed. The most interesting case I ever witnessed was 
that of a mare which had been purchased by a gentleman ? 
dealer, and brought to Waterford on her way to London. I 
IukI an opportunity of not only seeing the case in its origi¬ 
nally wasted condition, but I saw the necessary operation for 
cure performed, and also the result of that operation, so far 
as a few hours were concerned. The man who owned the 
mare accosted me thus: ^*1 say, doctor; can you cure this 
rnare?^"’ My reply was to the effect that I could not. 
Well,^’ says he, 1 can ! in about five minutes.^^ Oh V’ I 
replied, ‘^so could I in the way you refer to; but I don’t call 
that a cure.^^ He inquired what I meant. 1 made motions 
with my mouth—as if to blow through a quill. Ah !” said 
he, that’s jest it.” He procured a small knife, a quill, and 
