836 
A. J. BURKHOLDER. 
vious at once that we can no longer hope to speak with author¬ 
ity on the subject. 
The vital machinery of the animal organism is hidden away 
from us, and, except so far as objective physiological signs r 
cannot be scrutinized. I say, therefore, that this definition of 
soundness imposes upon us a duty and responsibility which we 
are not warranted in accepting. We cannot reasonably certify 
to the physical perfection, or durability of any essential part 
that lies hidden from view, because of the fact that slight 
structural changes or traumatic injuries may exist at the time 
of examination, which may soon afterwards give rise to serious 
functional, systemic, or organic disease. Further, such a defi¬ 
nition is so exclusive in its application to horses as practically 
to dispose of the necessity for any examination at all, as such a 
thing as perfection, even in the accessible parts of a horse at 
the working period of life, is quite phenomenal. Many members of 
our profession seem to ignore this fact by claiming that sound¬ 
ness implies that an animal must be practically sound ; that 
even if some abnormal condition exists which does not impair 
his usefulness he must be considered sound. According to this 
definition the meaning of soundness is the capability of an an¬ 
imal to perform such work as it is best fitted to perform by vir¬ 
tue of its size, build, and general character. This creates a 
vast discrepancy in the literal and legal sense of the term, and 
the unfitness of either to the requirements of a rational and 
consistent system of horse inspection and certification, which 
needs at this time our serious consideration. Shall we dis¬ 
card this portion of our practice on account of the litigation 
arising from such diversity of opinion, or shall we adopt a form 
of certification which, by its literal and legal construction, will 
not only relieve us from censure and responsibility, but afford 
our clients sufficient protection ? The usual fee demanded for 
examination is wholly inadequate for any special warranty of 
soundness. Why, then, should we assume such a position ? If 
we are forever afterwards subject to costs incurred defending 
ourselves against persons who, by reason of their inability to- 
