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amount of money ($500,000,000) invested in equine property 

 in the United States, and how few Veterinary Surgeons are 

 to be found in the country, it can be readily understood how 

 important it is for stock-raisers, farmers and gentlemen to 

 have some correct idea of the symptoms and treatment of 

 the various disorders and injuries to which these animals 

 are subject. It is the aim of the writer to supply such a 

 work to the American public as may be safely referred to ij| 

 all emergencies, and in the absence of qualified Surgeons. ■ 



There are several cogent reasons why particular promi- 

 nence should be given to this class of injuries. 



In the first place, there are more numerous cases of lame- 

 ness than of any other lesion of the horse. Perhaps we may 

 safely affirm that, for every score of sick horses there are one 

 hundred lame ones. In the second instance, the differenti| 

 diseases and injuries of these animals are encumbered witM 

 such absurd names as convey no idea of their nature or 

 treatment. I have seen medical men highly amused and 

 perplexed when asking the names of thiese lesions, and what 

 they meant, although familiar with most of them under their 

 proper names. 



The late Mr. Percival, V. S., in his works on Hippo- 

 pathology, has explored those high latitudes of Etymology, 

 and traced for us the origin and meaning of such outlandish 

 names. From his researches it appears that John Bull, in 

 the days of his childhood or stupidity, forged the names, and 

 we hold him responsible for this beside other graver offences. 

 In the last place, these injuries which try the skill of the 

 most experienced surgeons are confidently left in the hands 

 of stablemen or horseshoers, and the consequence is that 

 more harm is inflicted in one hour than can be repaired in 

 a month. When American gentlemen are asked why they 

 employ such persons to tinker with valuable property, (and 

 hand over noble animals during their sickness to ignorant 

 stablemen or horseshoers to give whar destructive agents 

 they suppose to be right) ? Should we repeat the same 



