The lack of a modern and well-illustrated book on the structure of the
principal domestic animals has been acutely felt for a long time by
teachers, students, and practitioners of veterinary medicine. The work
here offered is the expression of a desire to close this gap in our
literature.
The study of frozen sections and of material which has been hardened by
intravascular injection of formalin has profoundly modified our views
concerning the natural shape of many of the viscera and has rendered
possible much greater precision in topographic statements. The
experience of the author during the last ten years, in which almost all
of the material used for dissection and for frozen sections in the
anatomical laboratory of this University has been hardened with
formalin, has demonstrated that many of the current descriptions of the
organs in animals contain the same sort of errors as those which
prevailed in regard to similar structures in man previous to the
adoption of modern methods of preparation.
While the method of treatment of the subject is essentially systematic,
topography is not by any means neglected either in text or
illustrations; it is hoped that this will render the book of value to
the student in his clinical courses and to the practitioner.
Embryological and histological data have been almost entirely excluded,
since it was desired to offer a text-book of convenient size for the
student and a work of ready reference for the practitioner. It is
believed that the use of black type for the names of important
structures and of small print for certain details or matter of secondary
importance will prove useful in this respect.
Veterinary anatomical nomenclature is at present quite chaotic in
English-speaking countries. In this work an attempt is made to eliminate
some terms which do not appear to the author to fulfil any useful
purpose, and others which are clearly erroneous or otherwise
undesirable. In many cases the terms agreed upon by the Congresses at
Baden and Stuttgart are adopted either in the original Latin or in
anglicized form; otherwise these terms are added in parenthesis. The
author favors the substantial adoption of this terminology, but
considered it desirable to offer a sort of transitional stage at
present.
The original illustrations are chiefly reproductions of photographs,
many of which were taken by Mr. F. H. Haskett. The preparation of the
pictures for reproduction was carried out by Messrs. J. V. Alteneder and
W. J. Norris. The author takes pleasure in expressing his appreciation
of the care and skill exercised by these gentlemen in this often
difficult task.
The author is under great obligation to Professors Ellenberger and Baum
in Dresden, to Professor Schmaltz in Berlin, and to their publishers for
permission to use or to copy figures from their most excellent works.
Their generosity in this matter has made it possible to supply this text
with a larger number of high-class illustrations than is to be found in
any other. A few figures have been taken from other sources, and proper
credit has been given in each case.
For checking over certain data and for assistance in the correction of
the proofs the author is much indebted to his associate, Dr. F. B.
Hadley.
The author desires to express his high appreciation of the determination
and constant effort of the publishers to do all in their power to render
the book worthy of favorable reception by the profession for whom it is
intended.