562 
SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
slight cold. Without examining into the cause of the cough, 
I found the animal otherwise unsound, and lie was returned. I 
was informed by the seller that the horse died shortly after, with 
inflammation of the lungs. I noticed no symptoms of such a 
serious complaint when I examined him, but if I had found him 
sound otherwise, and had not examined carefully into the cause 
of his cough, a disagreeable law-suit might have resulted. Like 
cases are continually occurring, and demand the utmost care on 
the part of the veterinarian and the buyer. 
Dr. Michener considered it strictly necessary to examine the 
lungs, and a cough from whatever source, as an unsoundness. In 
making out a certificate, he recommended to avoid using the ex¬ 
pression, “ the horse is sound,” and to substitute for it, “ fail to 
find any unsound ness,” the form that Dr. Liautard has used for 
some years. 
Dr. Crane said : “The veterinarian’s ability is the only ques¬ 
tion in the examination, and if no unsoundness is found, I would 
advise the use of the term “ sound.” 
Dr. Coates gave as a definition of unsoundness, “ any abnor¬ 
mality that interfered with function of a part,” and thought it 
unnecessary to specify an unsoundness excepting verbally to the 
owner. 
Dr. L. MacLean considered a horse with a non-progressive 
disease, such as a splint and a curb are at times, that do not inter¬ 
fere with his usefulness, as sound. 
Dr. Field stated that he had to qualify, and write out in full 
any blemishes or disfigurements, but he avoided the use of the 
word unsoundness, as it alarms the buyer, and does an injustice 
to the seller. 
Dr. Liautard said: “We will never agree as to the mode of 
conducting our examinations for soundness. The intermediate 
degree only complicates the already intricate subject. We should 
confine ourselves to the two terms, sound and unsound. You owe 
your employer all the explanation possible why you discard a 
horse, but is it always possible ? We may need time, and as long 
as the seller is notified of the judgment, we do not need to hurry in 
