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CHAP. VI. 



ON VETERINARY MEDICINE AND 

 SURGERY. 



A MONGST the improvements of thefe lat- 

 •^^^ ter times, the extenfion of a regularly 

 cultivated fyftem of veterinary pra6lice, and the 

 attempts to refcue the fuperior clafTes of do- 

 meftic animals from the torturing hand of pre- 

 fumptuous ignorance, are not the lead confider- 

 able, either in the view of humanity or ufe : it 

 is true, that during the various ages which have 

 paffed fince the days of Columella, the number 

 of writers treating on the veterinary fcience, 

 according to the bed medical light which their 

 times afforded, has been confiderable ; but their 

 works had never any very extenfive circulation, 

 competent praftitioners were wanted to put 

 their precepts in force, and difeafed animals 

 were either totally neglefted, or confided to the 

 unmeaning and capricious efforts of the illi- 

 terate vulgar : entirely to wipe away this op- 

 probrium of humanity and common fenfe, would 

 infinitely redound to the credit of the prefent 

 times ; and it is confoling to be able to an- 

 nounce, that attempts are daily making towards 

 that beneficent end, by confiderate and philan- 

 thropic 



