PKEFACE. XXlll 



use of the knife ! Yet, how often does it happen that 

 a *' sow gelder" without any more knowledge than that 

 acquired by operating on the pig, is allowed to undertake 

 the most delicate and difficult surgical operations, 

 (generally with fatal effect) on the horse, an animal of a 

 totally different organization !"^ 



Although not professing to impart the necessary sci- 

 entific knowledge, this work, however, being divested 

 of all technicalities in the description of the symptoms 

 of the different diseases, and the mixing and use of the 

 proper medicines, will, it is hoped, in the hands of those 

 not absolutely devoid of a knowledge of the horse, 

 diminish to some extent, the mischievous effects of the 

 present system. 



To accomplish this, even in a slight degree, the 

 Author considers an object worthy of his highest am- 

 bition ; self interest being altogether secondaiy to the 

 gratification to be derived from opening to the public 

 eye, with a friendly hand, existing abuses, and con- 

 tributing, by his humble efforts, to remove them. 



* The successful results of the Author's medical and surgical 

 treatment, in cases which seemed to be hopeless, and where every 

 remedy was tried unavailingly, before application to him, might be 

 deemed too extraordinar)- — too much beyond the boimds of possibility 

 in the present state of Veterinary science in Ireland, were it not for 

 the abmidant and conclusive testimonials given by gentlemen of the 

 highest position and respectability, to whose numerous testimonials 

 published in this Avork, the reader is respectfully referred. 



