108 
THE VETERINARY ART IN INDIA. 
tages, which natural philosophy has so recently gained, it re- 
quires but little prescience to assert, that the present century 
must produce the most valuable and extensive discoveries, the 
rays of which at present but scarcely extend to us. 
The study of physic being also reduced to natural observations, 
within the reach of every mind, and which are found to pervade 
alike the animal and vegetable kingdoms, must prove interesting, 
while its simplicity and affinity to chemistry render it entertain- 
ing ; and when a few more years’ experience shall afford more 
extensive observations, and thereby regulate the present wavering 
practice, its general utility will become so conspicuous to those 
who value the blessings of health, as will perhaps render it a 
study attached to a general education. 
The chapter on the mode of shoeing is an abridgment, mostly 
in the words of Mr. Coleman’s publication, modified to the 
trifling varieties existing in this country. In the section “ of 
general diseases” I have entered into the nature of those mala- 
dies which are so rapidly fatal in this climate. How far my 
conceptions may be just I must leave to others; but from the 
number of cases which I have seen, and my very particular and 
minute observations on the operation of the remedies, I believe 
I may assert, that nine-tenths at least of those diseases prove 
so immediately fatal proceed from exhaustion, and would be 
relieved by very forcible and diffusible stimuli. 
It was at first my intention to have entered on the anatomy 
and physiology of the horse ; but, considering that few have 
leisure or inclination for such a knowledge, I have relinquished 
it, and merely given the outlines of the circulation, and the ab- 
sorbent system, which I conceived a necessary step to the know- 
ledge of diseases. I have also described the structure and 
functions of parts, in treating of their diseases. In respect to 
pathology, or remote causes, I have chiefly confined myself to 
the section on general diseases : this I have endeavoured to 
compress in the smallest possible compass, as it would otherwise 
very far exceed the limits of the present work. 
I cannot omit noticing in this place, that many persons who 
have superficially studied the philosophy of chemistry and the 
new doctrine of physic have frequently mistaken remote for 
first causes — an erroneous expression, which has assisted in 
drawing a severe opprobrium on what is termed the new philo- 
sophy ; I therefore hope to be excused for digressing a moment 
on the subject. 
The tenets of these persons are founded on the analysis or 
decomposition of animal and vegetable matter, which can now 
be reduced to an seriform state. Vegetable and animal sub- 
