822 
OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS. 
which the horse was tied I was just in time to see the 
near fore foot in advance of the body, some twelve or four¬ 
teen inches. The voice of the groom, together with the 
noise of opening the upper door, caused the animal to with¬ 
draw the foot quickly,&but not sufficiently so, as I had caught 
sight of it. I made no remark, but put the animal under 
examination. During the trial I fancied he stepped short 
occasionally; this I mentioned to both the seller and buyer. 
As a last test, I rode him about the street; sometimes he 
trotted decidedly lame, at others he seemed sound. A dif- 
ficulty having arisen, I informed the two gentlemen what I 
had observed before the horse left the stable. The owner, 
distinctly asserted that he had never seen the horse point 
his foot during the six months he had been his property, 
and that he would give a warranty to the effect that 
the horse had not been lame while in his possession. 
The purchaser replied that he employed me to examine the 
horse with a view of dispensing with warranties; moreover, 
he declared that he would not take the horse unless I recoin- 
mended him to do so. 
I requested that more time might be allowed in the exami¬ 
nation,, in order that I might again see the horse in a box- 
stall. This was agreed to, and in the course of ten minutes 
the same foot was advanced as before, which both gentlemen 
witnessed. This rather staggered the seller, who, of course, 
declared, as before, that he had never known any defect to 
exist in the horse. A small splint was present, which 
took its course behind the suspensory ligament, and which I 
believed explained the symptoms. The horse was pur¬ 
chased, and carried the officer well for some months (twelve 
weeks), when one day he met with an accident in jumping 
over a fence, the near foot coming down among some large 
loose stones, which caused much pain and lameness; so bad 
was he that it was with difficulty he was walked home. 
This being between thirty and forty miles from my resi¬ 
dence, a “ vet.” who does not hold the College diploma was 
summoned to attend the animal at once. 
Mr. “ Veterinary Surgeon” carefully examined the foot, 
and was of opinion that a fracture had occurred to one of the 
bones; at which the owner became alarmed, and was de¬ 
sirous of having a second opinion. The “vet.” used the 
c£ speedy-talking-wires,” and ordered another of his metal to 
attend the summons, and to sit in conclave upon the case of 
fracture. 
The consultation between these wise men of the north 
