162 THE ANIMAL SYSTEM [BOOK I. 



CHAPTER III. 



General observations on the animal system of the 

 horse, with reference to the origin of constitu- 

 tional diseases: recapitulation and further de- 

 velopement of veterinary practice > upon the prin- 

 ciples before laid down. 



Studious reader, — Seeing that a recapitulation 

 of the preceding chapters, and a few general obser- 

 vations arising therefrom, would be necessary, 

 before we examine into the particular diseases to 

 which they have reference, we shall here add the 

 notice of such minor parts of the horse, as may seem 

 to have been overlooked ; and then draw such con- 

 clusions from the whole, as to the principles upon 

 which veterinary medicine may be most successfully 

 conducted, as appear to us best adapted to your 

 acquiring those just notions of the theory that lead 

 to favourable results in 'practice. 



The animal system* (which has been so often 

 mentioned), whereby life is continued and strength 

 renewed, diseases are contracted, and the disposition 

 to throw them off is constantly manifested, and by 

 which the ordinary wear-and-waste of the various 



* A system is a course of action, according to some known rule or 

 law of nature; and the term has been applied to some of man's con- 

 trivances also, not very happily. 



