10 INTRODUCTION. 



pathologically, cannot be used by us. The laws of animal 

 being are physiological. Theymever were, and never will be, 

 pathological ; hence we cooperate with nature, and with na- 

 ture's laws, by using agents that act physiologically. 



We believe that the best system of veterinary science is 

 that which prevents disease by proper attention to breeding, 

 rearing, and stable management. It will be perceived that 

 our aim is to depart from the debilitating and life-destroying 

 practice, and approach, as near as possible, to the sanative. 



The greatest obstacle to veterinary knowledge is the be- 

 lief, that in the science of medicine there are pathological 

 laws ; and it has led men to believe that fever and inflamma- 

 tion are disease. Now, there never was, and never will be, a 

 pathological law. The divine Creator implanted in the ani- 

 mal organization laws to maintain it in its normal state, and 

 those laws are physiological, and not pathological. Now, to 

 believe that the all-wise God implanted in the constitution 

 both normal and abnormal laws, would be but to destroy his 

 own intention. The only laws in domestic animals, in any 

 state, are physiological. Overfeeding and imperfect ventila- 

 tion may prevent the full and free play of these laws, thereby 

 curtailing health ; but still, all the vital action that exists is 

 physiological. 



In justice to J. S. Skinner, the talented editor of the 

 Farmer's Library, we would observe, that our notes and 

 strictures on Youatt apply to the original work, as published 

 in London. The work has since been republished in this 

 country, with valuable additions by J. S. S., and is better 

 adapted to the wants of the American people. If the latter 

 gentleman would only employ his talents in advocating and 

 sustaining the non-poison principle, our cause (the cause of 

 humanity) would receive a valuable auxiliary. 



To Dr. C. M. Wood we are indebted for valuable sugges- 

 tions, gleaned from an extensive practice of sixteen or seven- 

 teen years in this city. He has experienced the imperfect 

 theoretical teachings of the schools, and assures us, that he 

 has established facts, deduced from observation and experi- 



