PREFACE 



In no branch of knowledge has there been of late years more decided 

 progress than in that of Comparative Pathology ; and we may venture 

 to say, without fear of contradiction, that upon the still further prospective 

 elaboration of this most important Science, human welfare in large 

 measure depends. To the greater encouragement of original research 

 in the various departments in Pathology by the more enlightened 

 countries, in Europe, in America, and in our colonies, our progress 

 in sanitation and therapeutic knowledge is very greatly due. 



The bonds of union between human and veterinary medicine and 

 surgery are yearly — we had almost said daily — becoming more and more 

 intimate, as men are beginning to realise the necessary connection which 

 must subsist betw^een all vital phenomena, whether normal or abnormal. 

 Hence it comes about that investigation in each and every branch of 

 Pathology and Surgery is of the greatest importance, not only in itself, 

 but as bearing upon every other part of each of these two wide subjects. 



It was in 1885, that we first put before the veterinary and scientific 

 worlds primarily, and before the public secondarily, " A Manual of the 

 Theory and Practice of Equine Medicine." In the preface to that work, 

 our intention to follow it up by the production of other treatises was 

 intimated. We have it in contemplation before long to issue a work on 

 Comparative Pathology, which is already in hand, and conjointly, " A 

 Manual on the Theory and Practice of Equine Surgery." A complete 

 and comprehensive book on veterinary medicines is already written 

 by Mr. George Gresswell, in co-operation with Mr. Charles Gresswell. 



