PEEFACE. 



When submitting to the reader this my first work on 

 Veterinary Science, I cannot forbear from addressing to 

 him a few remarks, in the hope of explaining some of 

 those peculiarities which it may appear to present. 



At a period of life, when many men retire from active 

 business, I commenced the study of a new profession. My 

 mind was not prepared to receive instruction through the 

 ordinary process, and I was, by necessity, obliged to be, 

 in a great measure, my own tutor. I found that I could 

 learn only through observation, and this circumstance led 

 me into inquiries which often left me in opposition with 

 established opinions. Hence many of the facts announced 

 in the following pages are new, and not very much con- 

 tained in them is strictly accordant with the acknowledged 

 authorities. The latter circumstance I may regret, but I 

 have no apology to offer for it. My convictions are derived 

 from the study of Nature, and are conclusions gained from 

 a higher source than conjecture or opinion sanctioned by 

 time or approved by professors. 



