Chronic lameness is done away with by skilful obliteration of the large nerves which supply the affected parts with sensation. The operation is termed nerving or unnerving in common parlance and, properly, as neurectomy. It consists in cutting down upon the nerve and then removing a portion so that its function is destroyed so far as the portion below the seat of operation is concerned. Unnerving is most often done to hide the lameness caused by navicular disease which is incurable: it may also be practised on account of ringbone, side-bone, founder or other unsoundness of the foot. After unnerving the horse does not evince pain when the parts below the seat of the operation are pinched or pricked. The operation merely does away with pain and lameness. It is in no way a cure. Cocaine or eucaine solution injected by means of a hypodermic syringe upon the nerves at the points where neurectomy would be performed will temporarily have an effect like that of the operation. Just after the injection a swollen or puffed place may be discovered at the point where the hypodermic needle was inserted, and local soreness may be present after the effects of the drug have subsided. Keep an Eye on the Sign-Board. Dr. Hawley advises that when buying horses at auction one should watch the sign-board, as it may be suddenly shifted from “serviceably sound” to “wind and work.” In such a case a horse slightly lame may be purchased with no chance of rejection. Secret of Hiding a Spavin. It is an old “gyp” trick to beat one hock-joint with a stick so that it will swell and acquire the same size as the hock unsound from spavin. Caustic solutions injected under the skin at the seat of spavin also smooth the appearance of the joint. If spavin is suspected, test for it by picking up the hind foot and holding it toward the stifle for two or three minutes so as to tightly shut the hock-joint. Then drop the foot and instantly have the horse trotted. If spavin, apparent or hidden (occult), is present the horse will hop off on three legs, or go much lamer than before. Artificially Induced Knee Action. True knee action is an inborn trait in certain horses, such as those of the English hackney breed, and some families of American trotters; but in many high-stepping horses, sold on the market, such action is unnatural, and has been acquired. The true knee actor flexes his hocks about as freely as he does his knees. This is the test: Watch a fashionable, high-going coacher, and if the action is not well balanced, and if the hind legs are imperfectly flexed, and seem to have difficulty in “keeping up with the procession,” depend upon it that the horse has been trained to go as he does and easily may forget his lessons on leaving school.