PREFACE. Vll 



milk, &c. The time has not yet arrived when in considera- 

 tion of special pathology we can afford to omit a hasty sum- 

 mary o£ the leading points of the anatomy and physiology 

 of the object of our investigations. My method has been 

 chosen in the hope that it will refresh but not burden the 

 memory of the reader. Having thus, to the best of my 

 ability, prepared this work for the veterinary profession, 

 it will be observed that I have made free use of technical 

 terms (all of which, I believe, are explained in the intro- 

 duction), and have not encouraged empiricism by the 

 insertion of numerous prescriptions; I have indicated the 

 line of treatment, but the exact means to be used must 

 be adapted to the emergencies of each case. The few 

 formulae given are such as from their general usefulness 

 or repute ought to be remembered by the reader. It will 

 be constantly found in practice that the difficulties arising 

 from complications of disease or from surroundings 

 necessitate special modifications of the methods here 

 suggested. Much of the success of a practitioner depends 

 on his skill in applying general principles to special cases, 

 and acting accordingly. I may by some be considered 

 to have too much curtailed the list of symptoms of special 

 disorders ; in this matter I have in each case acted 

 advisedly, wishing to economise the labours of the 

 reader. Thus, '^ general signs of febrile disorder " 

 frequently does duty for the somewhat prolonged list of 

 these in detail, and so on in similar cases. 



There being much difference of opinion among our 

 leading authorities on cattle pathology, it has seemed 

 to me best to express my own opinions, while stating 

 and acknowledging those of others. Thus, I am 

 fully prepared to find that many of my views do not 

 meet with general acceptance. I await the verdict of 

 the professional public, however, since I have proceeded 

 throughout on scientific methods, and have supplemented 

 such practical experience as was at my disposal by 

 most careful literary research. I have endeavoured to 

 express my acknowledgment of the assistance which I 

 have derived from the few comprehensive works on bovine 



