PREFACE 



TO THE 



FIRST EDITION. 



Within these few years only, has 

 the Veterinary Art acquired a distinct 

 appellation, and a solid foundation in 

 this country. Receipts, handed down 

 by traditionary skill, in which ingre- 

 dients were accumulated without judg- 

 ment, or discrimination, constituted the 

 principles and practice of what was 

 termed farriery ; a name which it de- 

 rived from the occupation of the persons 

 who practised it, who were, in general, 

 smiths, or workers in iron (Ferrarius, 

 Ferru?n)*, 



To attempt to distinguish the causes 

 of the horse's diseases, was far beyond 

 th "ir little skill ; and, in general, ran- 

 dom trials of the few burning medicines 



* 



Farriers were formerly termed Ferrers, which i« 

 ^rtainly a better appeliation. 



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