Bibliothèque mondiale du cheval

« Like all Special Works, the present volume will encounter more or less public prejudice. However, the thoroughness with which Special Works and Articles are usually prepared has somewhat changed public sentiment, and the tendency of the times appears to be in their favor. General Works have their advantages, but thorougliness of detail is not usually It may also encounter prejudice on account of the doctrine of Evolution which pervades its pages; but this should not be, for it refers almost exclusively to the Horse, and, besides, indicates Progress. Nature’s laws are immutable, and to oppose. them is as foolish as to beat the head against a stone wall. Whatever may be said of the original thoughts in the book, the compiled matter is from the works of well-known authors, some of which are also Special Works. Further, many of the definitions in the Vocabulary are from Special Cyclopedic Articles.
The work is the result of less than twelve months of research and study, which is some excuse for the small proportion of original matter. While it is not exhaustive, it is believed that a good foundation has been laid whereon to build, and that it will meet the present requirements of the Veterinary Profession, and may also be useful to both Horsemen and Farmers.
In order to make the work acceptable to all classes of readers, much of the selected matter has been edited and more or less condensed, a vocabulary of most of the technical words used and parenthetical explanations have been made, and an attempt has been made to relieve the monotony of dry anatomy by inserting reference notes and headings that are at least apropos.
As I neither understand Veterinary nor Human Surgery, an explanation, if not an apology, is required, for as a rule the trained surgeon only should exercise the prerogative of an Instructor. At the request of Stephen J. Cox, Esq., I consented to become the Editor of a book whereof Mr. Charles D. House was to have been author. Mr. House furnished the facts for which he has received credit, and then abandoned the project. Whether I acted wisely or not in completing the work myself, and whether Mr. Cox does or does not deserve thanks for inducing me to begin it, is for the reader to decide. […] » Présentation de l’éditeur (1880)