The Complete Farrier, or Horse Doctor - A Guide for the Treatment of Horses in All Diseases to Which That Noble Animal Is Liable, Being the Result of Fifty Years of Extensive Practice of the Author #271651

About twenty years ago many people pressed me much to write a treatise on Houses; but I then refused, thinking that one of my own family would succeed me in the business of a Farrier; but my hopes are cut off, and now, at the age of nearly ninety years, it is my duty to do what I can to benefit my fellow-crea tures, and I thank my God that it is both in my heart and in my power to do so. For this reason this little book is sent out into the world, and it is my hope that many may be benefitted by it. Should it be an instrument of good to one poor man's horse, it Will be a blessing; but it may be useful in saving thousands. A true explanation of the disorders, and safe and easy medicines for the cure of horses, are laid down in it in the plainest language — not that of a learned writer, but for a poor man's reading. I do not mean to make easy things hard, but hard things easy; and hope that my readers will be candid enough to consider well before they cast any reflections upon it. I do not know that there are errors in it, but possibly there may be, considering my old age. I can truly say it is writ ten from experience alone, as there is not one borrowed receipt in it, therefore it must be new to the world: and I have no other motive than to do good. One word as to drugs. \vhen you buy them, be careful to have them good, as drug gists are not always to be depended on for having good articles. The safest way is to buy them in their natural state, and to powder them as you want them. Do not be too hasty in giving medicines, but let one Operate before you give another. Great hurt is Often done by being too hasty. I wish also to caution you against taking advice of people who neither know the disorders of Horses, nor how to prescribe a remedy for them. No man can prescribe proper medi cines except he has a true knowledge of herbs, roots, minerals and compounds, and how they operate. The first thing a Horse-doctor should do when he begins business, is to get well acquainted with drugs, and then with the disorders; but tnese things cannot be done without much practice. Some people are very fluent at the tongue and if they know the names Of a. Few drugs, and a disorder or two, they blow up loudly, and bring forward the names of the drugs they have learnt, whether they are good for the discrder or not; but in this little treatise there is not one thing mentioned that will not bear the strictest scrutiny.