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Bronson Tweed Publishing
The Horse's Mouth
The Horse's Mouth
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When submitting to the reader this my first work on Veterinary Science, I cannot forbear from addressing to him a few remarks, in the hope of explaining some of those peculiarities which it may appear to present.
At a period of life, when many men retire from active business, I commenced the study of a new profession. My mind was not prepared to receive instruction through the ordinary process, and I was, by necessity, obliged to be, in a great measure, my own tutor. I found that I could learn only through observation, and this circumstance led me into inquiries which often left me in opposition with established opinions. Hence many of the facts announced in the following pages are new, and not very much contained in them is strictly accordant with the acknowledged authorities. The latter circumstance I may regret, but I have no apology to offer for it. My convictions are derived from the study of Nature, and are conclusions gained from a higher source than conjecture or opinion sanctioned by time or approved by professors.
Short as may have been my experience, nothing herein set down will be found which is not the result of practice, or the consequence of reasoning. Perhaps a longer professional existence would have given more weight to that which is either novel in its announcement, or may appear to be bold in its assurance. Truth, however, is speedily read by those who are intent on deciphering it, and facts are not rendered more clear to the mental vision by years of conventional dependence.
The teaching of our English Veterinary School has, for too long a period, been traditional; what one had said, he who succeeded him repeated, and when I entered as a pupil, there existed no spirit of inquiry, or thought of extending the boundaries of knowledge. To what a degree an evil system had been established, I may here state as an instance, that in the first horse which I dissected, I was able to demonstrate the existence of four muscles that had previously been unnoticed by my teachers.
At a period of life, when many men retire from active business, I commenced the study of a new profession. My mind was not prepared to receive instruction through the ordinary process, and I was, by necessity, obliged to be, in a great measure, my own tutor. I found that I could learn only through observation, and this circumstance led me into inquiries which often left me in opposition with established opinions. Hence many of the facts announced in the following pages are new, and not very much contained in them is strictly accordant with the acknowledged authorities. The latter circumstance I may regret, but I have no apology to offer for it. My convictions are derived from the study of Nature, and are conclusions gained from a higher source than conjecture or opinion sanctioned by time or approved by professors.
Short as may have been my experience, nothing herein set down will be found which is not the result of practice, or the consequence of reasoning. Perhaps a longer professional existence would have given more weight to that which is either novel in its announcement, or may appear to be bold in its assurance. Truth, however, is speedily read by those who are intent on deciphering it, and facts are not rendered more clear to the mental vision by years of conventional dependence.
The teaching of our English Veterinary School has, for too long a period, been traditional; what one had said, he who succeeded him repeated, and when I entered as a pupil, there existed no spirit of inquiry, or thought of extending the boundaries of knowledge. To what a degree an evil system had been established, I may here state as an instance, that in the first horse which I dissected, I was able to demonstrate the existence of four muscles that had previously been unnoticed by my teachers.
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