viii PREFACE TO THIRD EDITION 



be expressed by saying that without its inclusion the 

 chapters in which it occurs would lose much of their 

 interest and value. 



Again, as in the preface to the second edition, I would 

 like to remark on the number of unsolicited letters this 

 book has brought me from practitioners, both English 

 and American, concerning what I have now come to call 

 the ' stimulant' treatment of intestinal impaction. Many 

 who have, in the phrase of one of them, 'put their sedatives 

 on the shelf,' have written in terms expressive of their 

 delight with the change, and assuring me that, if I 

 needed confirmation of the correctness of the treatment, 

 their own experience would give it. Although pleasing 

 to me, I merely mention this fact here in order that the 

 reader, should he contemplate a change which at first 

 sight may appear to him startling, may be assured that, 

 concerning its wisdom, he has not to rely on my word 

 alone. He has now corroborative testimony. 



For a second time, too, I would like to draw the 

 reader's attention particularly to the matter in Part III. 

 of the Appendix, for the simple reason that it deals with 

 a change of opinion arrived at after the publication of the 

 first edition, and which will be given greater prominence 

 should a further edition still be called for. 



In conclusion, I again commend this little book to the 

 veterinary practitioner, and ask him, as I have asked 

 him before, to make it but an aid towards the achieve- 

 ment of an end we must all of us have in view — the 

 further elucidation of the troublesome affections with 

 which it deals. 



H. C. R. 



Spalding, 



February, 1914. 



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