PREFACE. 



The chief and only object of this work consists in a description 

 of the internal and external Diseases of Sheep, as well as of their 

 treatment and prevention. The author believes that he has 

 omitted no disease of any considerable importance. The sys- 

 tematic arrangement of a book like the present necessitates dili- 

 gent research and the experience of many years. In order not 

 to make their works appear too incomplete, authors frequently 

 resort to lengthy dissertations, which may not be entirely with- 

 out benefit to the general reader, but which had better be dis- 

 pensed with, because they render the study of the subject tedi- 

 ous and diminish the usefulness of the book. In the interest 

 of the reader I have left unimproved this opportunity of acquir- 

 ing an easy reputation for erudition by adorning this book with 

 numerous quotations, being of the opinion that it matters very 

 little to him when, by whom and under what circumstances 

 certain useful results have been obtained, if he is only made 

 acquainted with their existence. The reader is therefore re- 

 quested to grant me his confidence if I do not, except in a few 

 instances, produce authorities for my assertions. I Jjelieve my- 

 self justly entitled to his confidence, since I am thoroughly con- 

 versant with the foreign and home literature on the subject, and 



7 



