Historical Surgical Treatments in Polish Veterinary Medicine

SIMPLE SUMMARY: This review describes the most popular methods used for treating animals in Poland from the 16th to the 20th century described in Polish veterinary literature. Bloodletting, setons, ‘fonticulus’, cauterizations, injections and other former veterinary methods are described. This review presents the development of veterinary medicine from ancient cures to a modern branch of science. ABSTRACT: Several methods of surgical treatments have been used in the history of Polish veterinary medicine, many of which have now been forgotten. In the present study, a review was conducted of Polish-language veterinary medicine books published from the 16th century (when the first books in Polish were printed) to the 20th century. The article contains a description of the most popular surgical methods used in animal treatment in Poland over the centuries including, among others, bloodletting, setons, fonticulus and cauterization. This article reviews historical veterinary methods and traces the development of Polish veterinary medicine from ancient cures often based on humoral theory to a modern branch of biologic science.