THE MODEM HORSE DOCTOR. 



ON THE QUALIFICATIONS NECESSARY FOR THE PRACTICE 

 OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



The subject to which the author is about directing the reader's 

 attention is one of great importance to Americans, both as regards 

 their individual and national interests; for while it contributes to 

 the honor and greatness of the one, it advances the interests of 

 the other ; and no man, class of men, nor a nation, can feel satis- 

 fied that they have done their duty to their flocks and herds, 

 the cattle on a thousand hills, the noble war-horse, — the right 

 arm of a nation's power on hard-contested battle fields, — unless 

 there are means provided for their restoration when sick, a reme- 

 dy against deterioration, and a preventive against empiricism 

 and barbarity. The means, remedy, and preventive are com- 

 prehended in the veterinary science. 



This science is to the brute just what human medicine is to his 

 master ; and if we estimate the value of the former in exact ratio 

 to that of those noble animals which we are so often permitted 

 to behold, it must be apparent, to every thinking mind, that a 

 science which contemplates so much that is really useful and 

 beneficial to the lower orders of creation may be worthy the sup- 

 port of the American people. 



In allusion to the veterinary science, the author has no refer- 

 ence to the haphazard method which is now practised by many, 

 who, without any medical training, or even attending medical 

 lectures on the sister art, when there are such favorable oppor- 

 tunities, vainly attempt to prescribe for the sick and dying, sup- 

 posing that they have inherited medical skill from their ances- 

 tors. This is not legitimate science. Our art is not acquired in 



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