142 
SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
L. McLean did not consider the turning of the toes, either one 
way or the other, of itself an abnormal condition. He had 
seen certificates of unsoundness on account of “ knee-spring.” 
The essayist said he would certainly reject where he found that 
was the case, holding it was due to contraction of the tendons. 
The question of taking off the shoes, as practiced in England, 
to see if the horse had corns, was referred to by Dr. Robertson. 
Could we do this with dealers’ horses ? Dr. Pendry doubted if 
we could. Supposing the blacksmith who was called in to do 
this, in putting on the shoe again had the misfortune to prick the 
foot, would the dealer be willing to pay any expenses that might 
result? Where would the liability rest ? Would the dealer or 
buyer run the risk ? Would the examining surgeon or blacksmith 
be liable ? Mucli would depend as to whether it was really neces¬ 
sary to take the shoes off. He held it was good practice to do so, 
but the question was, Was it really necessary? Dr. L. McLean 
made a practice of doing so, and considered it well worth the 
trouble. Dr. Coates contended it was not always necessary, as 
all horses with corns showed more or less lameness. Dr. Pendry 
could not agree with Dr. Coates, and spoke of a horse which he 
knew had corns, yet traveled sound. Dr. L. McLean asked 
if there was not a period of a corn where no lameness was shown. 
Dr,* Coates admitted that there was, and considered when horses 
with corns did not show lameness it was due to their being trotted 
only a short distance. Dr. Field said there were times when this 
could not be otherwise. Dr. Coates held that no horse should be 
passed that had not been examined both after and before he had 
been freely trotted. As to the question of bruised heel, consid¬ 
erable allowance would have to be made. If it was not accom¬ 
panied with lameness he would pass. 
Many other points were discussed by the members present, to 
a late hour, and a motion was made to continue the discussion at 
the next meeting of the,Society, but an amendment was carried 
that it be closed by the Chair. Dr. Liautard said the subject of 
the paper was one that afforded an almost endless field for dis¬ 
cussion, much of which had been gone over many times. The 
question was always an interesting one to the profession, as there 
