2 MAJ!^UAL OF MODERiV FARRIERY. 



to the tender mercies of an untutored blacksmith, who although 

 by practice he may be extremely competent to shoe or bleed a 

 horse, is, nevertheless, most unlikely to be able to administer 

 relief to animals Avliose physical constitutions are subject to 

 as many and complicated diseases, as humanity itself. 



In France and Italy the importance of the cure of the 

 diseases of horses and cattle was first manifested upwards 

 of two centuries ago ; and professorships established for the 

 art of farriery, as a medical and surgical science, and gra- 

 dually the persons who professionally studied and practised 

 this art assumed the names of Veterinary Surgeons. This 

 term, although but recently adopted, is of great antiquity, 

 having been in general use among the Latins. 



It is, however, surprising that in Great Britain, where our 

 domestic animals are of sucli vast importance, it is only 

 vGYj lately that schools and professorships for the study of 

 the Veterinary art have been established ; and not half a 

 century ago, the surgeons of our cavalry regiments adminis- 

 tered medicine to horses as well as to the soldiers. But the 

 study of Comparative Anatomy soon rendered it manifest 

 that a totally different course of study became necessary 

 for the treatment of animals Avhose internal organization 

 was so different from that of the human being ; and now 

 every horse regiment has its Veterinary Surgeon. All great 

 towns, and many small ones also, possess medical and surgical 

 practitioners, whose sole attention is devoted to the cure of 

 domestic animals ; these gentlemen having attended and 

 acquired diplomas from the Veterinary Colleges for their 

 knowledge and capability to practise the arts. 



The intention of the following treatise is not to take the 

 practice out of the hands of regular Veterinary Surgeons, 

 but to serve as a ready manual to those living in the country, 

 or even in towns, to give them a general idea of the disense*' 



