THE EXAMINATION OF HORSES FOR SOUNDNESS. 
835 
■on account of real or supposed misrepresentation, such cases are 
now, comparatively speaking, rare. I cannot help but feel that 
this more satisfactory state of relations between the vendor 
and the purchaser is, in a large measure, due to the services ren¬ 
dered by our profession in the exercise of their judgment as to 
soundness, and upon which purchasers are now content to rely 
without any guarantee from the vendor. 
It cannot, however, be overlooked as previously observed, 
that this increase of public confidence has brought with it a 
corresponding increase in our responsibilities. Circumstances 
which have recently occurred in connection with several mem¬ 
bers of our profession have clearly demonstrated this. Serious 
claims have been set up against veterinarians on account of 
losses sustained by reason, as has been alleged, of • their negli¬ 
gence, or want of skill and judgment. And since the verdict 
of a jury is as uncertain as continuous health and soundness, we 
must feel a deep sense of insecurity in regard to this branch of 
our work, and it is to this fact that I wish to direct your atten¬ 
tion. 
No one who has had any experience in the examination of 
horses can have failed to recognize the trying circumstances un¬ 
der which we are often expected to exercise this branch of our 
calling. In no other profession is there a duty so peculiar in its 
nature, or so precarious in its consequences. It is not with an 
inanimate machine that we have to deal—whose every part may 
be disconnected, scrutinized, and tested ; but a living, complex, 
ever-changing organism, exposed to and influenced by ever- 
changing conditions of environment and purpose; and in a 
large measure also by the abuses of human vice and folly. 
In proceeding to deal with this subject, it is desirable at the 
outset to consider the nature of the duty involved, and in doing 
so we must first, I think, repeat the question so often asked— 
W hat is soundness ? It has been laid down, and is gener¬ 
ally believed that “sound” means “perfect.” To this defini¬ 
tion I take no exception in the abstract, but if it is the stand¬ 
ard to be recognized in dealing with horses, then it will be ob- 
