Outlines of the veterinary art; or, a treatise on the anatomy, physiology, and curative treatment of the diseases of the horse : and subordinately, of those of neat cattle and sheep illustrated by surgical and anatomical plates / Delabere Blaine.
- Blaine, Delabere (Delabere Pritchett), 1770-1845.
- Date:
- 1841
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Outlines of the veterinary art; or, a treatise on the anatomy, physiology, and curative treatment of the diseases of the horse : and subordinately, of those of neat cattle and sheep illustrated by surgical and anatomical plates / Delabere Blaine. Source: Wellcome Collection.
44/692 (page 18)
![knowledge of the horse would not inform him where to puncture the paunch of the hoved ox. A consideration of the structural peculiarities of the same organs in different animals, according to their several wants, and the difference of function occasioned by structural peculiarity, are matters of philosophical interest to all; but it is imperatively necessary that the veterinarian be well informed with regard to the variations of disease resulting from such sin- gularities of structure and function. The general observation of diseases may accompany the study of anatomy and physiology; but an undivided attention to them should be reserved until some progress has been made in those studies which are to lay the foun- dation for just principles, and just conceptions of the nature of disease. Merely to observe and note what medicines are given in different diseases leads to an empirical practice, and utterly defeats correct and enlarged views of the cwrative practice generally. A course of dissections being finished, diligently attend the sick cases; and never neglect accompanying the professor in his rounds. Note down his remarks, minute the symptoms as they occur, the changes which take place, and the effects produced by the various medicaments which are applied. Carefully examine the pulse in every sick case, many times in the day, and under every variety of cir- cumstance ; accustom yourself also to a frequent examination of the healthy pulse in different horses; by which anomalies will become familiar, and prevent error in applying your knowledge to disease. It ought to be unnecessary to advise the pupil to a sedulous and regular attendance on the lectures of the professors of his college, to whom a marked respect on all occasions is both proper and prudent. It is equally so, that, by obliging attentions, he should ensure the good offices of the in- ferior officers of the establishment. As a secondary consideration, attend the lectures also of those eminent teachers of human medicine, whose libe- rality have opened their doors to your free admission; but avoid doing this until] a complete course of the college lectures has been attended ; and do it then only when no veterinary therapeutics can be interfered with. Of your college lectures, never for any object of pleasure miss one; and uniformly apply what you hear to some practical purpose; either real if it be present, or imaginary if not: of all the modes of impressing what you hear on your memories, this is the most infallible. Chemistry and the materia medica should form a part of the collaterals of your medical studies. A certain acquaintance with individual drugs is acquired by use and observation ; but a knowledge of their products, when in a state of combination, can only be gained by conversance with chemistry, on which subject more will appear in the MATERIA MEpICcCA. The veteri- nary student has now no excuse for a want of information on the elements which enter the composition of medicinal agents, Mr. Morton's Manual of Pharmacy having well filled up this hiatus. Every veterinary student should immediately make himself master of the contents of this invaluable vade mecum; pages 27, 28, 29, and 30 particularly, are too important not to require much of his attention. Form no theories; accumulate facts, and study them; it is by observation aud experience that you are likely to become a successful practitioner. During the latter periods of your novitiate, visit the knackers, examine every diseased case: purchase the permission to operate, first on the dead subject until you are aw fait, and then finish with the living. Cultivate a humane disposition towards animals generally: nothing disgraces the vete-](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b33281671_0044.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
