Bibliothèque mondiale du cheval

« In the whole routine of husbandry, there is not a subject on which there is so great a want of information as in treating sick animals, and preventing diseases; and in no case do so serious and frequent losses occur, for want of knowledge. These losses, in this country, amount to a vast sum annually, not less than some millions of dollars; the greater part of which might be saved by good management and proper treatment.
More than twenty years ago, we commenced collecting valuable rules and prescriptions, for managing animals and curiug diseases, for our own private use in pursuing the business of farming; and in a number of instances, neighbors consulted these authorities, and by aid of a simple recipe, saved the lives of valuable animals. A mere item of a few lines, that costs less than one mill, may enable the farmer to save the life of an animal. By the help of a single prescription, whole herds and flocks have been saved from the "pestilence that walketh in darkness, and the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
We have continued our collection of valuable matter, consulting the best American and European authorities on the veterinary art, and many skilful practitioners, from whom we have obtained new and valuable prescriptions; and in conducting agricultural journals for more than twelve years, we have carefully examined all the works of this character, in this country, and some of the principal English periodicals, through wfiich numerous intelligent farmers have communicated their experience in managing stock and treating diseased animals.
Availing ourselves of our own experience and observation as a practical farmer, and conductor of papers devoted to the farming interest, and of our numerous sources, we have collected a vast heap of valuable materials on the subject of this work. This we have examined, sifted, arranged, digested, and reduced, by excluding words and retaining ideas, facts, and opinions, so as to present the cream and substance of the whole, in one neat, cheap volume, within the means of every one, and in a clear, simple style, within the comprehension of every one of common capacity.
This work is not only adapted to the wants of the farmer, but it should be in the hands of every mechanic, and persons of every profession, who keep only a single horse, cow, sheep, pig, dog, or a few fowls. For every one who keeps animals should not only learn to keep them in good health for pecuniary gain, but as a matter of humanity and benevolence, in relieving distress and adding to the comfort of those animals which a kind Providence has placed under his care and control, for his own special good.[…] » Présentation de l’éditeur (1847)

« New York, [1849]. » Huth (1887)