ADVERTISEMENT.
THE publishers of the present work have long been impressed with the idea that a new book upon the Diseases of the Horse, written in simple language, and specially designed as a guide for non-professional readers, had grown to be a public necessity. While waiting for an opportunity to carry this notion into effect, they were fortunate enough to become acquainted with a gentleman whose proficiency in veterinary science is undisputed. To that individual the present work was intrusted; and it was nearly completed when the publishers heard with surprise that Mr. Mayhew employed the pencil in a manner only secondary to his use of the pen.
Acting on this information, the publishers were induced to persuade the author to illustrate his text by drawings descriptive of the various stages and aspects of disease. The addition of above four hundred wood engravings has, of course, materially increased the expense of publication. A heavy outlay has been incurred, while, at the same time, the spirit of the age is decidedly against paying a large sum for any work of general information. These circumstances render the present volume doubly hazardous. However, it is confidently hoped that, when the accuracy of the illustrations and the perspicuity of the letter-press are appreciated, a large sale will more than recompense any amount of outlay.
PREFACE.
WHEN laying the present volume before the public, the author cannot but feel he addresses two very opposite parties: one, and by far the larger portion of society, views the subject of which this book pretends to treat simply as a working machine, and regards all those who speak of the creature as endowed with intelligence or possessed of sensibility as fanciful sentimentalists checked by no limit to assertion. The other class—a small, but a highly-educated and an influential section of the public—sees the matter in a very contrary light. In their ideas, the equine race, though endowed with voice, is not entirely without reason, but possessed of the keenest feelings and capable of the tenderest emotions.
The last party, however, expect so little from living writers that probably they will be pleased with opinions which they may hail as an advance toward the truth. The first order of readers, however, the author cannot think to propitiate. Before the opening article is perused, one of these gentlemen will probably fling the volume aside with a sneer, and exclaim—
"Why, what would this fellow have? Does he desire we should build hospitals for horses?"
To the uninformed mind such a question will suggest a preposterous image. But, when calmly considered, a hospital is perceived to be nothing more than a place where disease in the aggregate is cheaply treated, and the trouble or the expense of individual remedies thereby is prevented. A hospital for horses, sanctioned by government, and honored with the highest patronage, does even now exist in the Royal Veterinary College of Camden Town. Such a foundation, therefore, would prove no positive novelty; but were such institutions more general, a necessity now universally felt would be supplied, while the duty incumbent on mankind to conserve the lives of beings intrusted to their care would, in such structures, be gracefully acknowledged and openly enforced.