Successful Treatment of Wounded Horses in World War 1, Before the Advent of Antibiotics

摘要

Dedicated to the late Dr. Steeve Giguere (Large Animal Internal Medicine) (May 31 1969-May 27 2018)ab:World War 1 (WW1) or the First World War ended just over 100 years ago. It lasted over 4 years, beginning in Europe on 28th July 1914 and ending on 11th November 1918, during which time over 10 million soldiers were killed. The catalyst for the conflictwas the assassination of the Austro-Hungarian Archduke Franz Ferdinand by a Yugoslavian nationalist. Over the following month, the most powerful countries of Europe became divided with Britain, France and Russia (Allied powers) on one side and Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy (Central powers) on the other. The first week of conflict was complex but war broke out fully on August 3rd 1914, when Germany invaded Belgium and declared war against France (to the West). Britain then declared war on Germany the following day. To the East, Germany was also at war with Russia. Ensuing, many countries became involved in the conflict, including those that were part of The Commonwealth such as Canada and New Zealand. World War 1 began at a time when motorized vehicles were only just starting to become common and horsepower was still very much in use worldwide. As such, horses and mules played a vital role in WW1, principally in hauling artillery, equipment and supplies.1 Consequently, millions of equines were involved, from all round the world and it is estimated that 8 million died or were destroyed. Due to the huge scope of equine involvement during the conflict, this paper will focus on the role of horses and mules' serving the Allied powers in France duringWW1 and their veterinary care by the British Army Veterinary Corps (AVC) at the time. Although equine loss in the field was high, over the course of tine war over 80 % of horses and mules treated by the AVC in equine field hospitals in France recovered and returned to work.2-3 This figure is particularly staggering, given that antibiotics had not yet been developed.