Blaine's canine pathology. 77 



of different kinds of medicines, or in the performance 

 of any common operation which might be necessary ; 

 but a medical gentleman* in very high practice in the 

 neighbourhood where I resided, and with whom I was 

 upon terms of intimacy, constantly assisted me, not 

 only in many and frequent operations upon my hounds, 

 but also in the choice of divers medicines and other 

 remedies. I have read attentively nearly every 

 sporting book, that has ever been published since the 

 " Gentleman's Recreation," but with little benefit to 

 myself, as I have seldom, if ever, met with one single 

 instance of any recipes succeeding, which I may have 

 been induced to try. The only book from which I 

 liave derived the least information, is one entitled 

 " Canine Pathology," by Mr. Blaine ; and I must 

 confess, that that book stands alone amongst the many 

 which have been foisted upon the public, as one which 

 may be entirely depended upon ; no sportsman should 

 be without it ; it gives not the effects of theoretical 

 and inexperienced advice, but the effusions of the 

 understanding of a man who has made the study of the 

 diseases of the dog his chief pursuit, and who has most 

 eminently succeeded in the undertaking. When com- 

 pared with the horse the dog is subject but to few 

 maladies, this is in a great measure owing to the 

 coldness of his temperament, the hardiness of his 

 constitution, and the great strength of his digestive 

 powers. He is seldom attacked with inflammation, 

 although cases of enteritis or inflammation of the 

 bowels are sometimes to be met with. Inflammation 

 in the eyes, although not so frequent as one might 



• I. Kimble, Esq. Knowle. 



