CAKE OF ANIMALS

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 135, 9 June 1928, Page 21

CAKE OF ANIMALS

MASS OF INFORMATION "Black's Veterinary Dictionary." Edited by AVilliam C. Miller, M.R. C.V.S. London: A. and C. Black. (Reviewed by M.R.C.V.S.) The editor, who is a lecturer on veterinary subjects both in the Edinburgh Veterinary College and the Edinburgh and East of Scotland College of Agriculture, states in his preface that the book is intended for all who own or have charge of domesticated animals. Tho work is modelled upon tho plan of Black's Medical Dictionary, which ensures easy reference. Tho various subjects aro dealt with in simple language, free from the scientific details liable to be met with in such works. Nevertheless the descriptions given aro very complete, and arranged in a manner readily assimilablo by the mind of tho general reader. . The book is very comprehensive in its scope and contains a mass of information on veterinary and allied subjects. As an indication of the ground covered, contributions are included on such subjects as anatomy, physiology, diseases of all farm animals, animal breeding, feeding of animal, butter, milk, poultry, etc., etc. Illustrated articles deal with the various breeds of horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs. The editor has been assisted by a number of highly qualified collaborators, each a specialist in tho particular subject dealt with. Tho article on genetics and heredity is from tho pen of Dr. Crew, Director of the Animal Breeding Research Department, Edinburgh University, and tho subject of feeds and feeding is dealt with by Professor Lintoii. of the Edinburgh Veterinary College, who is tho author of a book on the subject of animal dietetics, and who lias a wide knowledge of the subject, though especially as regards the conditions existing in tho United Kingdom,' which, owing to climatic differences, vary considerably from • our yll-the-year-round pasture feeding practice in New Zealand. Con-, sequently, here, the information given needs to be analysed and considered as to its degree of application to our conditions. Animal' parasitology, a subject of increasing importance, is covered in a comprehensive- manner in a series of illustrated articles by Dr. Cameron, Lecturer on Hclminthology, London School of Tropical Medicine. Animal parasites havo given a lot of trouble in the Dominion, and hay© to a great extent been successfully combated, but nevertheless they have to be given tho most serious consideration, and every effort exerted to combat them. Tho treatment of disease in stock, from tho everyday minor troubles met with, to the more serious forms of contagious disease, is handled in a very complete manner by the editor and his collaborators, though the description of the treatment for contagious abortion is not in accord with the latest authoritative opinion. First aid treatment receives special consideration, in this respect rendering tho book useful to stock owners in back-country districts, whore professional assistance is often unobtainable. Consideration needs always to be given, however, to tho different conditions existing in New Zealand as compared with tho Old Country consequent upon the milder climate and better wintering' conditions for farm stock rendering housing and hand-feed-ing far less necessary, and enabling tho animals to bo free from tho unhealthful inllncnccs exerted by tho confinement and periodic loss of natural grazing conditions brought about thereby. A useful, feature of tho book is the readiness by which any subject may be found in alphabetical sequence. On tho whole the book is one which will be full of interest and useful to the stock owner, dairy farmer, student of agriculture, etc.., in fact, to use Hie editor's of domesticated aiiiinals."