Bibliothèque mondiale du cheval

« To those who are not acquainted with the origin of this discussion, it may be necessary to mention, that one of the most experienced anatomists of the age has thought proper to address the public on the modern method of improving the breed of domestic animals. And as the internal structure of the human fabric has long been the subject of his attention, there is great reason to suppose that he had formed an opinion, that the natural history of the animal oeconomy might be fully explained on anatomical principles.
I am truly sensible of the extensive influence which the dignity of situation will always have on the public mind; but it is my opinion, that the anatomist, let him be ever so accomplished, is not the person who is most likely to be best acquainted with the mechanism of animal life. I do not pretend to assert that anatomy has not thrown great light on the animal ceconomy, but still I contend that anatomy and physiology are very different subjects ; as we meet with a great variety of evidence during life which it would be impossible to obtain by anatomical investigation. I might here mention the practice of physic by way of illustration, because it has long been supposed to rest upon an anatomical basis. But the same observations are equally applicable to the breeding and feeding of animals as they are to the practice of physic : the former will depend upon our knowledge of animal nature in a state of health, the latter includes the destructive influence of disease. […] » Présentation de l’éditeur (1806)