X PREFACE 



and enable him to progress still farther on the road of 

 independent thought, upon the commencement of which 

 his present-day tutors so ably plant his feet. 



To the practitioner I humbly trust this first effort of 

 my pen will prove welcome. I ask him for his in- 

 dulgence, and beg of him to remember that these pages 

 were written in the moments of leisure afforded by a 

 busy country practice. Should it be the means of 

 bringing together such facts as will give the veterinarian 

 a more accurate and dependable knowledge of the 

 subjects under consideration, the main object of the 

 book will be fulfilled. 



H. C. R. 



Spalding, 



November, igo2. 



