HISTROY & SCOPE OF

VETERINARY MEDICINE
Dr. Amar Nasir
Associate Professor (Medicine),
CVAS, Jhang
 Origin of the term Veterinary

• Possible origins of the name “veterinaries”,

Animal caretakers were called souvetaurinarii in
Rome
• Famous Agricultural and Veterinary author
Columella, used the term veterinarius for the
caretakers of pigs, sheep and cattle,
• Mulomedicus for “Horse doctors”
 Classic era/Ancient era

• Veterinary Medicine existed with the dawn of

civilization
• Veterinary profession is recorded in the book of the
law in the reign of King Hammurabi (1792 BC)
Babylonian dynasty
• Fables of Pliny (Full name: Gaius Plinius Secundus),
describe the use of medicines on dumb creatures
• In ancient India, animals were considered sacred
religiously, their care regarded as holy profession
Pliny

Pliny the Elder

Author
Gaius Plinius Secundus, better known as
Pliny the Elder, was a Roman author,
naturalist, and natural philosopher, as well
as naval and army commander of the early
Roman Empire and personal friend of the
emperor Vespasian. Born: 23 AD, Como,
Italy
Died: August 25, 79 AD, Stabiae, Italy
Notable works: Natural History
Books: Natural History, more
Parents: Gaius Plinius Celer, Marcella

Courtesy Wikipedia
Earliest writings from the era of Papyrus Kahun
 Vedic period and King Ashoka

• In Vedic period, ancient Hindus used to be concerned

about the management, diagnosis and treatment of
variety of animal diseases

• King Ashoka (250 B.C.) established numerous

Veterinary hospitals operated by veterinarians
• Remnants of these hospital related to the treatment of
sick animals still exist now a days
Animal Hospitals in India by King Ashoka
 Haippiarthis and Hippocrates

• In Greece, a class known as “Haippiarthi/Hippiatros”

were referred as Horse doctors (500 BC).
• Greek scholars made tremendous contributions in the
adoption of “humoral theory” elaborated by
Philosopher Physician Hippocrates (father of
Medicine) 460-367 BC
• Humoral theory: 4 humors of body i.e., Yellow bile,
Black bile, Phlegm and sputum
Hippocrates and Humoral theory
 Germ Theory and Contagion

• In 1st Century, Romans used to provide medical care

for their animals. Ideally diseased horses were taken
care by Vets in Veterinary Hospitals
• “Germ Theory” (1860-64 Louis Pasteur) and concept
of ‘Contagion’ came into being when Varsaw stated
that “certain animal culae which can not be seen with
eyes breath through nose and mouth and cause great
maladies.
• Vargil mentioned about animal plague which was
nothing but Anthrax
Roman history of Veterinary Medicine
 Islamic Era
While at the time of the Caliph of Islam, namely:
• Ibn Sina (Arieenoa), al Rahzi, and Husayn ibn Ishak
al-Ibadi, translated the works of Hippocrates and
other Greek philosophers.
• Razi (860-940) wrote 200 books and medical field
of medical ethics as well as the 25 volume
encyclopedia of practical Hawi.
• Ibn Sina (980 - 1037) wrote 16 books and Al -
Kanun (the Canoun), encyclopedia of disease
worldwide.
 Cattle plague in Europe

• In 1711, cattle plague (Rinderpest) took a heavy toll

on European cattle & Pop was authorized to
investigate the devastating outbreak
• Historically, the development of Veterinary
Medicine has been influenced by the economic and
social outlay.
• The early Veterinary School came into existence due
to the socio-economic implications of animal diseases
 Rinderpest devastation in France

• In 1710-1714, Rinderpest devastation in France was

so intense that it paved the way for the establishment
of first Veterinary School at Lyons in 1762.
• Purpose was to study the diseases of cattle, horses and
other domestic animals
• Attracted students from allover France and Europe
• Graduates became the nucleus of Faculty of new
Veterinary Schools at Alford, Englsnd (1766) and later
in Vienna, Berlin, Hannover, Munich, Copenhagen
and eventually across all Europe
First Veterinary School in Lyon, France
First Veterinary School in Lyon, France
The Royal veterinary College London
(1791)
 Veterinary Education in USA

• In 1806, Dr. Benjamin Rush, famous American

Physician and signatory to the declaration of
Independence
Dr. Benjamin Rush, pioneer to
Veterinary education in USA
 Modern History of Veterinary
Medicine/Education
• In 18th Century, East India company provided quality
bullocks and horses for military purposes
• In 1795, William Frazer given the responsibility of
establishment of stud farm near Pusa for improved
breeding
• Later, William Moorcroft, the first Vet took over the
responsibility & introduced scientific approach for
feeding, breeding & health management
 Cattle plague in India & first Army
Veterinary School
• In 1821, devastating outbreak of cattle plague occurred,
a commission set up and Mr. Hallen acted as Chairman
• He recommended to get the people trained to tackle the
problem
• In 1862, first Army veterinary School set up in Pune.
• Subsequent veterinary Schools Lahore (1882), Bomay
(1884), Simla (1888)etc.
• University of Agriculture was established under the aid
given by US Govt. in 1961 (formerly Punjab
Agricultural College & Research Institute, 1906)
College of Veterinary Sciences, Lahore 1882
SCOPE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE

• Veterinary medicine’s ultimate goal is to promote,

maintain and restore the health of animals, people
and ecosystems (One health)they inhabit
• Role of the Veterinarians in the society
• Serving the society in following different ways;
• a) Clinical practice of Food Animal Medicine
• b) Clinical practice of Small Animal Medicine
• c) Herd Health & Production Medicine/ Management
• d) Laboratory Animal Medicine
SCOPE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE

• e) Zoo Animal Medicine

• f) Public health coverage
• g) Environmental Health & Safety
• h) Army Services/ RVFC (Remount Veterinary Farms
Corps)
• i) Animal health Services (as Veterinary Officers) in
Livestock Departments
• j) Teaching in academic institutes as faculty
SCOPE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE

• k) Research in research institutes and organizations

• l) Private Enterprises
• m) Quarantine services at International exits/entries,
Air-ports, Sea-ports, Borders etc.
• n) Planning in the field of man-power
• o) Insurance and bank services (ZTB) administration
• p) Special Security branches
• q) Academic administration