The people's horse, cattle, sheep, and swine doctor

Preface

The title page of this work explains its nature, scope, and character so perfectly that little else need be said on the subject. It is compiled from the highest authorities and the latest editions of their respective works. For example, the parts entitled " Medicines and their Doses" and " Medicines and their Classes" are based, or chiefly based, on the seventh edition of Dun's " Veterinary Medicines." Prof. Percivall's works, from which numerous extracts have been made, are getting old, it is true ; but as his words are often quoted by all modern veterinary authors, no apology is needed for the extracts from that source in this work. The illustrations, numbering, in the aggregate, 232, are the best of their kind, and are taken from here and there. Many are from Mayhew and Armitage.

One of the drawbacks of most veterinary books is the confusion of nomenclature. This is an almost necessary fault of this volume, for if several of the different names by which some diseases are known were not given, how could the unprofessional reader recognize them ? For example, on page 225 is the following: " Carbuncular "fever (anthrax), also called Texas fever, splenic fever, trembles, charbon, blain, &c." Page 238 : " Hoven (tympanites), also known as hove, hoove, blown, dew-blown, fog-sickness, &c." Page 322 : " Swine plague or swine anthrax, also known as hog cholera, red soldier, blue sickness, measles, erysipelas, intestinal fever, typhoid fever, &c." The using of the word ' thrush ' to indicate both disease of the foot and the mouth is certainly inexcusable confusion. (See pages 196", 238, 296.) It is like using the word 'fang' to indicate the root as well as the iv PREFACE.

crown of a tooth. These and similar defects, in veterinary as well as other works, will probably pass away in the course of time.

As a rule, where practicable, a plain English word has been used to name a disease, the technical name being given in a parenthesis. Where not practicable, the technical name is explained as in the following examples : " Ecthyma (boil-like eruptions)." " Herpes (creeping, spreading)." ''-Erythema (red, rose-colored)." Scores of other parenthetical explanations are made here and there throughout the work.

The two descriptions of ' Measles ' (pages 316 and 328) appear to be inharmonious. The first, based on Gresswell, refers to the well known febrile skin disease; the second, based on Armitage, refers to measle worms. In quoting from different authors, there is sure to be more or less confusion and a few apparent contradictions.

Some useful information is contained in a note on page 13 — namely, the measurement of medicines in ordinary utensils. An important addition to the note, especially to farmers, is the fact that an average sized grain of wheat weighs one-half grain — apothecaries' weight.

New York, July, 1891.