1. The horse, as well as the other domestic animals, is subject to a
great variety of diseases, which, like those affecting the human
system, are frequently under the control of medicinal remedies; and
the same general means which are efficacious in healing the disorders
of our race, are equally so in controlling those of the inferior part
of the animal creation.
2. The great value of the domestic animals has rendered them, from the
earliest periods, the objects of study and attention, not only while
in health, but also when laboring under disease. For the latter state,
a peculiar system was early formed, including a _materia medica_, and
a general mode of treatment considerably different from those for
human patients.
3. Of the authors of this system, whether Greek or Roman, nothing
worthy of notice has been transmitted to us, beyond an occasional
citation of names, in the works of Columella, a Roman writer, who
flourished in the reign of Tiberius Cæsar, and in Vegetius Renatus,
who lived two centuries afterwards. The former treated at large on the
general management of domestic animals, and the latter more
professedly on the diseases to which they are liable.
4. Both of these writers treated their subject in elegant classical
Latin; but neither they nor any other ancient author whose works have
reached us, had any professional acquaintance with medicine or
surgery. Celsus is the only physician of those times who is said to
have written on animal medicine; but this part of his works is not
extant.
5. Xenophon is the oldest veterinary writer whose work remains; but
his treatise is confined to the training and management of the horse
for war and the chase. The chief merit of the ancient writers on this
subject consists in the dietetic rules and domestic management which
they propose. Their medical prescriptions are said to be an
inconsistent and often discordant jumble of many articles, devoid of
rational aim or probable efficacy.
6. On the revival of learning in Europe, when the anatomy and
physiology of the human body had become grand objects of research in
the Italian schools, veterinary anatomy attracted the attention of
Ruini and others, whose descriptive labors on the body of the horse
have since served for the ground-work and model to all the schools in
Europe.
7. The works of the veterinary writers of antiquity were eagerly
sought and translated in Italy and France, and the art was extensively
cultivated, sometimes under regular medical professors. Every branch
of the equine economy was pursued with assiduity and success, whether
it related to harness and trappings, equitation and military menage,
or the methodical treatment of the hoof, and the invention of various
kinds of iron shoes. Evangelista of Milan distinguished himself in the
education or breaking of the horse; and to him is attributed the
invention of the martingale.
8. The new science having been extended over a great proportion of the
continent of Europe, could scarcely fail of occasional communication
with England; nevertheless, the medical treatment of horses and other
domestic animals continued exclusively in the hands of farriers and
cow-doctors, until some time in the first quarter of the eighteenth
century.
9. At this period, that branch of this art which relates to the
medical and surgical treatment of the horse, attracted the attention
of William Gibson, who had acted in the capacity of army surgeon in
the wars of Queen Anne. He was the first author of the regular medical
profession, in England, who attempted to improve veterinary science;
and the publication of his work forms an era in its annals, since his
work became, and has continued to the present day, the basis of the
superior practice of the English.
10. The eighteenth century was abundantly fruitful in veterinary
pursuits and publications. France took the lead; but a zeal for this
branch of science pervaded Germany and the states north of that part
of Europe, and colleges were established in various countries, with
the express view of cultivating this branch of the medical art. It is
said that the French have improved the anatomical and surgical
branches of the art, and the English, those which relate to the
application of medicines.
11. The first veterinary school was instituted at Lyons, in 1762.
Another was established at Alfort, in 1766. A similar institution was
opened at Berlin, in 1792, and in the same year, one at St. Pancras,
near London. In these colleges, lectures are given, and degrees
conferred. In the diplomas, the graduate is denominated _veterinary
surgeon_. A great number of these surgeons have been dispersed in the
armies of Europe, as well as through the different countries, where
they have been employed in the medical and surgical treatment of
diseased animals, to the great advantage of their owners.
12. From the preceding account, it is evident, that the light of
science has shone conspicuously, in Europe, on the domestic animals,
in relation to their treatment, both while in health, and when
laboring under disease. In the United States, we have no institution
for the cultivation of this branch of knowledge. The press, however,
has been prolific in the production of works treating on the various
branches of the veterinary art; and many persons, by their aid, have
rendered themselves competent to administer to animals in cases of
disease, in a rational manner.
13. Nevertheless, the practice of animal medicine is confined chiefly
to illiterate men, who, from their laborious habits, or from other
causes, have not attained to that degree of information on animal
diseases, and the general effects of medicine, that might enable them
to prescribe their remedies on scientific principles. But this state
of things is not peculiar to our country; for, notwithstanding the
laudable efforts of enlightened men in Europe, the blacksmiths form a
vast majority of the horse-surgeons and physicians in every part of
it; and the medical treatment of the other domestic animals is
commonly intrusted to persons who are still more incompetent.
14. The attention of blacksmiths was very early turned to the diseases
of the horse, from the practice of supplying him with shoes. The
morbid affections of the foot were probably the first which attracted
their notice; and descanting upon these induced the general belief,
that they understood every other disease which might affect the
animal.
15. These men, as artificers in iron, were originally termed ferrers
or ferriers, from the Latin word _ferrum_, iron; and their craft,
ferriery. These terms, by a usual corruption or improvement in
language, have been changed to farrier and farriery, both of which
still remain in general use, the former as applied to persons who shoe
horses and administer to them medicines and surgical remedies, and the
latter to the art itself, by which they are, or ought to be, guided.
16. The appellation of veterinary surgeon is applicable to persons who
have received a diploma from some veterinary college, or who have, at
least, studied animal medicine scientifically. There are a few such
individuals in the United States; and the great value of the domestic
animals, and the general increase of knowledge, certainly justify the
expectation, that their number will increase.