Author: Glenn

Volume 6 Issue 3

Written by Glenn on October 22, 2025. Posted in Volume 6.

Rinderpest in Africa in the Late 1890s An epidemic of Rinderpest in Africa was noted in Egypt in the 1840s and gradually spread south, reaching Tanzania in 1880s and Rhodesia in 1890s. Charles Gray was the first veterinarian to see Rinderpest in 1896, one of only a few vets working in Southern Africa. There was a devastating epidemic in Soth Africa, a slaughter policy was introduced and erecting fences to restrict movement of cattle. The disease was finally eradicated in...

Volume 6 Issue 2

Written by Glenn on October 22, 2025. Posted in Volume 6.

The Manufacture and Marketing of Veterinary Products from 1850-1914 The largest purchases of animal medicinal products were by farmers, farriers and domestic households, rather than the veterinary profession. Even by 1850 there were still very few veterinary surgeons in rural areas. Advertising reflected the market situation. An early popular product was Harris’s Mixture, which was claimed to treat a wide range of diverse conditions. Another similar product was Cupiss’s...

Volume 6 Issue 1

Written by Glenn on October 22, 2025. Posted in Volume 6.

Employment of Dogs for Military Purposes In 1889 E E Bennett presented a paper on the employment of dogs for military purposes. Bennett outlined five main uses of dogs by the army; as guard dogs, scout and reconnaissance dogs, despatch dogs carrying messages, ammunition carriers and as searchers looking for injured and killed soldiers. It was noted the German Army was much more advanced in their use of dogs than the British Army. In the years before the First World War, Edwin...

Volume 5 Issue 4

Written by Glenn on October 22, 2025. Posted in Volume 5.

The Firing of Man and Animals The origin of firing as a veterinary and medical treatment dates back to ancient times. By the twentieth century firing was restricted to the veterinary treatment of lower limb injuries in horses and to a much lesser extent, racing greyhounds. Despite some sophistication of technique, firing retains the air of mystery so essential to primitive treatments. The two techniques of line and pin firing are described. Some internal problems, such as...

Volume 5 Issue 3

Written by Glenn on October 22, 2025. Posted in Volume 5.

John Weiss and the Spring Fleam From antiquity until the end of the nineteenth century, it was thought that the health of animals was improved by the letting of blood. The fleam and bloodstick were in use by the sixteenth century. The bloodstick was used to strike the back of the fleam and force it in into the vein. John Weiss started in business in the 1780s in London and began to develop a more advanced type of fleam with a double spring action, to enter the vein and then...

Volume 5 Issue 2

Written by Glenn on October 22, 2025. Posted in Volume 5.

The History of Veterinary Anaesthesia The history of anaesthesia from medieval times to the 1980s. A timeline of significant dates for human and animal anaesthesia. The progression in the use of agents over time, including chloroform, ether, chloral hydrate, barbiturates and thiopentone. The gradual introduction of endotracheal tubes and anaesthetic circuits occurred in the 1950s. Halothane became available in late 1950s. Barbara Weaver Four Decades of Technical...

Volume 5 Issue 1

Written by Glenn on October 22, 2025. Posted in Volume 5.

Recollections on the Development of Veterinary Pharmacology Frank Alexander was the Professor of Veterinary Pharmacology at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, retiring in 1984. Personal recollections of his career. The teaching of Pharmacology before the 1948 Veterinary Surgeons Act was rudimentary. After the 1948, the Edinburgh School merged with Edinburgh University and the new BVM&S degree included ninety hours of lectures and forty hours of practical...

Volume 4 Issue 4

Written by Glenn on October 22, 2025. Posted in Volume 4.

A Thousand years of Livestock Housing The earliest surviving evidence of livestock housing to be found in England are pigeon houses, dating from before 1600. Longhouses were an early form of animal housing with the farmer and his family in one end and the cattle in the other end. A sheephouse at Bolton Abbey dates from before 1290. Pigs were originally woodland animals, but were often moved into pig sties by 1800. Very intensive systems of housing were to be found in London and...

Volume 4 Issue 3

Written by Glenn on October 22, 2025. Posted in Volume 4.

RVC Medical Association 1972-1985 The Veterinary Medical society was founded in 1836 as a meeting for vets and students, which lasted until 1881, when a new society – The Royal College Veterinary Medical Society (later Association) was formed. There was also a London Veterinary Medical society at the same time. By 1972, the RVC medical Association was in a moribund state, but by 1977 was much more active with meetings and distinguished speakers. Professor R H C Penny ...

Volume 4 Issue 2

Written by Glenn on October 22, 2025. Posted in Volume 4.

“Singulière Anomalie Sociale” The Hippophagy Debate in 19th Century France The sale of horsemeat was legalised in Paris in 1866, but required veterinary inspection both before and after slaughter. Before this time there had been a vigorous debate around the consumption of horsemeat. There were concerns about the status of the horse, and about the safety and palatability of horsemeat. Horsemeat was advocated as being suitable for poor people and a way of improving diets. Vets and...