PREFACE 



The lack of a modern and well-illustrated book on the structure of the princi- 

 pal domestic animals has been acutely felt for a long time by teachers, students, 

 and practitioners of veterinary medicine. The work here offered is the expression 

 of a desire to close this gap in our literature. 



The study of frozen sections and of material which has been hardened l^y intra- 

 vascular injection of formalin has profoundly modified our views concerning the 

 natural shape of many of the viscera and has rendered possible much greater pre- 

 cision in topographic statements. The experience of the author during the last 

 ten j^ears, in which almost all of the material used for dissection and for frozen 

 sections in the anatomical laboratory- of this University has been hardened with 

 formalin, has demonstrated that many of the current descriptions of the organs in 

 animals contain the same sort of errors as those which prevailed in regard to similar 

 structures in man previous to the adoption of modern methods of preparation. 



While the method of treatment of the subject is essentially systematic, topog- 

 raphy is not by any means neglected either in text or illustrations; it is hoped that 

 this will render the book of value to the student in his clinical courses and to 

 the practitioner. Embryological and histological data have been almost entirely 

 excluded, since it was desired to offer a text-book of convenient size for the student 

 and a work of ready reference for the practitioner. It is believed that the use of 

 black type for the names of important structures and of small print for certain 

 details or matter of secondary importance will prove useful in this respect. 



Veterinary anatomical nomenclature is at present quite chaotic in English- 

 speaking countries. In this work an attempt is made to eliminate some terms 

 which do not appear to the author to fulfil any useful purpose, and others which are 

 clearly erroneous or otherwise undesirable. In many cases the terms agreed upon 

 by the Congresses at Baden and Stuttgart are adopted either in the original Latin 

 or in anglicized form; otherwise these terms are added in parenthesis. The 

 author favors the substantial adoption of this terminology, but considered it 

 desirable to offer a sort of transitional stage at present. 



The original illustrations are chiefly reproductions of photographs, many of 

 which were taken by Mr. F. H. Haskett. The preparation of the pictures for 

 reproduction was carried out by Messrs. J. V. Alteneder and W. J. Norris. The 

 author takes pleasure in expressing his appreciation of the care and skill exercised 

 by these gentlemen in this often difficult task. 



The author is under great obligation to Professors Ellenberger and Baum in 

 Dresden, to Professor Schmaltz in Berlin, and to their publishers for permission to 

 use or to copy figures from their most excellent works. Their generosit}'' in this 

 matter has made it possible to supply this text with a larger number of high-class 

 illustrations than is to be found in any other. A few figures have been taken from 

 other sources, and proper credit has been given in each case. 



For checking over certain data and for assistance in the correction of the proofs 

 the author is much indebted to his associate. Dr. F. B. Hadley. 



The author desires to express his high appreciation of the determination and 

 constant effort of the publishers to do all in their power to render the book worthy 

 of favorable reception by the profession for whom it is intended. 



Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Septimus Sisson. 



