Vlll PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. 



additions I made to the general stock, an improved 

 method of treatment of foundered Feet in Horses, 

 and a successfal remedy for the Distemper in Dogs. 



At the pressing solicitation of relations, I how- 

 ever relinquished, for a time, the further pursuit 

 of animal medicine^ and recommenced the practice 

 of human surgery ; first, privately, and next in the 

 armv, where an active scene of service on the Con- 

 tinent increased my experience considerably. In- 

 terrupted in this career by the bequest of some pro- 

 perty, I afterwards passed some years as a country 

 gentleman, until an improvident management of my 

 resources obliged me, once more, to direct my ener- 

 gies to some useful purpose ; but to what, I was 

 for some time undetermined. 



The practice of human medicine naturally pre- 

 sented itself foremost to my view ; yet it was an un- 

 pleasant reflection, that I had lost some years in my 

 st^rt, and that my cotemporaries, having the advan- 

 tage of early residence, had outstripped me in the 

 race, and established themselves in a professional 

 practice, that it would probably take me some years 



