‘All done for the horse’: Eclipse and the Royal Veterinary College

This article begins with an overview of the domestication and ownership of animals, in particular the horse, and the development of an awareness of their health and the treatment of disease as revealed in the literature of the time. The article then discusses the racehorse Eclipse, the anatomical study carried out following his death by Charles Vial de St Bel, and the subsequent founding of the Veterinary College in London with St Bel as Principal. The article includes illustrations taken from the literature as well as of artworks belonging to the Royal Veterinary College. 

Stephen May

Clyde Street 1833-1841: the veterinary teaching and learning environment

This article gives an overview of student life in and around the veterinary school in Clyde Street, Edinburgh in the 1830s. Information is given on the veterinary school buildings, the Clyde Street neighbourhood, student life, course structure and fees, and teaching resources. Information is also given on veterinary surgeons practising in Edinburgh at the time. Numerous illustrations are included.

Alastair MacDonald

Capturing the essence of animals: Major W.P. Moss MC, TD, MRCVS war artist and veterinary surgeon

This article discusses the life and career of William Philipson Moss 1896-1980. Moss was a talented artist who was studying art at the outbreak of World War I. He started his veterinary studies at the Royal Veterinary College in Ireland, completed his final year at the Royal Veterinary College and qualified MRCVS in 1923. During World War II Moss served as a veterinary officer with the Cheshire Yeomanry in Palestine and Lebanon combining his veterinary work with his skill as an artist. Detailed information is given on this period, and in particular on the battle of the Litani River. In 1943 Moss was awarded a contract as a war artist. Information is also given on his time serving with the Royal Irish Rifles in World War I. The article is illustrated with a number of Moss’ artworks.

Paul Watkins

Is the Elizabeth Street veterinary clinic the longest continuously operating veterinary business in London?

This illustrated article gives a chronological history of the ownership of the veterinary practice in Elizabeth Street, London prior to the author acquiring the business in 1979.  Biographical information is given on owners of the practice, these include several members of the Sewell family — Joseph, Frederick, William, Alfred J, and Louis — with additional information given on Alfred J Sewell’s wider veterinary activities. Other owners discussed include Frederick Cousens, Denis Danby, and Judith Iffey.

Bruce Fogle

Eight Young Essex veterinary surgeons

This article gives brief biographical information on three generations of the Young family who were veterinary surgeons in Essex in the 19^th & 20^th Century. Of the eight family members discussed five held formal veterinary qualifications. 

Norman R Young

An unusual early case of gastric foreign bodies in a bustard

The Memoires pour Servir à l’Histoire Naturelle des Animaux, published in 1671 with a second volume in 1676 contained anatomical descriptions of the dissections of animals from the menagerie at the Palace of Versailles. Using the English translation of this work, published in 1687, this article describes the detailed description of foreign bodies found in a bustard, which included ninety 22-carat gold coins known as Doubles.

Andrew Greenwood