INTRODUCTION. xvx 



who exhibited the kindest interest in my efforts, not only volunteer- 

 ing all the aid in his power to give, but securing for me the aid of 

 two of his colleagues, Dr. Chas. A. Meyer, N. Y. City, and Dr. 

 John A. Mc Laughlin, then of Jersey City, N. J., now of Provi- 

 dence, R. I., both of whom occupied high positions in the profession. 

 Dr. HAMILL gave me every aid in his power, not only in preparing 

 the chapter on Shoeing, for which he was specially qualified, but in 

 other departments, and in addition, placed the use of his fine library 

 freely at my disposal. 



The better to facilitate my work, I had these gentlemen dictate 

 to me the outlines of treatment required, in the simplest language 

 possible, with permission to make any changes I desired. It is but 

 just, also, to them, to explain that the dictations by them were in 

 all cases made without premeditation, the point in view being to 

 give me the facts most clearly and in the fewest words. This was 

 the more difficult for them from the fact that they were limited to 

 my ability to take notes, as, on account of the peculiarly sensitive 

 condition of my health, I could endure but very brief conversation, 

 and but thirty or forty minutes' writing at one time. * 



I was also specially indebted to Prof. E. A. Mc LELLAN, of 

 Bridgeport, Conn., who was at the time Lecturer on Shoeing and 

 Diseases of the Foot in Columbia Veterinary College, who gave me 

 much valuable aid in that department. DR. B. C. Mc Beth, of 

 Battle Creek, Mich., also rendered me very important assistance. 



After five large editions of the book had been published, and 

 meeting with the greatest favor, it was strongly urged upon me by 

 a leading book publisher, to add a STOCK DEPARTMENT that would 

 in general character correspond with the rest of the work as it then 

 stood. In support of his assertion, he stated that there was not a 

 single really practical or reliable work published on the subject, and 

 that if I would make such a book, I would not only be sure of 

 a large sale, but confer a substantial benefit upon the farming com- 

 munity. 



There had also been from the first repeated and urgent inquir- 

 ies by my agents for such an additional feature, it being given as a 

 reason that while farmers were greatly interested in horses, and 

 needed the instructions given, they strongly desired also the addi- 

 tional departments suggested. 



'Influenced by these considerations, I was led to consider the mat- 

 ter seriously. But I found there was no single professional man in the 

 country, so far as I knew, who could write up all the departments of 

 9uch a work in the practical manner I required, as men even in the 

 very first ranks of the profession are only proficient in certain de- 



