8 INTRODUCTION 



to be minimized. Here we have delineated in the 

 inimitable style of the author the evolution of 

 farriery into the profession of veterinary medi- 

 cine, concurrently with the attainment of pro- 

 fessional accomplishments in older parts of the 

 country, of which every veterinarian may be 

 proud. 



The historical value of the work and the inter- 

 est which it arouses are enhanced not a little by 

 the punctilious accuracy of the author as to 

 places and dates ; by the fact that he has neither 

 overdrawn nor underdrawn in his description of 

 occurrences and by the unusual realism of the pen 

 pictures of his characters. In only a few cases, 

 and then only for very obvious reasons, have fic- 

 titious names of persons been employed. 



The Publisher. 

 Chicago, April, 1916. 



