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CHAPTER III. 



PERIOD FROM A.D. 1 500 TO A.D. 1700. 



We have now advanced so far in the history of epizootic 

 maladies that it would seem desirable to pause, as we find our- 

 selves leaving a most unprofitable era, and about to enter on the 

 threshold of one pregnant with great results to the sciences in 

 general, but especially to that of medicine. We have glanced, 

 furtively it may be, at the position of veterinary medicine in the 

 beginning of the Christian centuries, and found that it occupied 

 a place among the sciences of the Greeks and Romans. From 

 the Egyptians, the Greeks had no doubt borrowed very much 

 of what they knew of the diseases pertaining to the domestic 

 animals, and they had been, with their love for learning of all 

 kinds, and their great regard for the welfare of the social quad- 

 rupeds, most careful in not only treasuring up this knowledge, 

 but adding to it. 



The Romans not only copied what the Greeks knew, but em- 

 ployed the most skilful Greek veterinarians in their armies, and 

 some of the writings of these men, as we have seen, are yet extant. 

 The diseases of the horse and ox were found to be particularly 

 worthy of study, as a vast amount of national wealth was invested 

 in these animals ; and also because, from the hazards of war, 

 and the little advance agriculture and the study of the laws ot 

 health had yet made, they were particularly liable to attacks o. 

 disease which destroyed vast numbers, and rendered attempts at 



