The Classical Farrier : exhibiting the whole anatomy of that noble animal the horse … : together with the signs, causes, and methods of curing every disease incident to horses …, by William Merrick (1780).
Unfortunately, scholarly sources containing biographical information about William Merrick are difficult to come by. What can be said about Merrick, however, is that he advertised himself as a farrier and in later editions of his work, identified that he was located on Swallow Street, St. James, in the west end of the City of London. His 1780 work also notes that his work was “…assisted by several eminent physicians, anatomists, and professors of surgery.” In many ways, one might argue that his works are like several others in the Cherry Collection as it seemed a somewhat common practice for writers to “borrow” or cite writing from other authors and include it in their own works.
The Classical Farrier is a lengthy work with illustrations. Merrick details the anatomy of the horse, including the muscles, internal organs, bones and teeth. A variety of equine health issues are explored throughout the work, including diseases and inflammations of the eyes, lungs, skin and digestive system. Common issues such as colic, worms, mange and glanders are outlined, as well as various injuries and disorders affecting the feet and legs. A number of medications are outlined towards the end of the work along with instructions as to preparation and dosages.