Hippopathology: a Systematic Treatise on the Disorders and Lameness of the Horse: With Their Modern and Most Approved Methods of Cure : Embracing the Doctrines of the English and French Veterinary Schools

Written by William Percivall, a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, this multi-volume treatise emerged in the mid-19th century as a foundational text for Victorian-era veterinary medicine. At a time when the horse was the primary engine of transportation, commerce, and warfare, Percivall sought to synthesize the divergent diagnostic approaches of the prominent English and French veterinary schools into a single, comprehensive clinical guide.

The work is noted for its meticulous classification of equine lameness and systematic approach to pathology, reflecting the shift toward scientific rigor in veterinary practice during the industrial age. Percivall’s writing style, characterized by its clinical detail and reliance on empirical observation, helped professionalize the trade of farriery and equine care, establishing a standard reference that remained highly respected in equestrian circles for decades after its initial publication.