A Veterinary Superstar

    A veterinary superstar that I believe anyone with interest in this field should know of is Claude Bourgelat. Veterinary medicine as a profession was started by Claude Bourgelat through him founding the first veterinary school. Bourgelat made it known that veterinary medicine isn't just something you can overlook. He invested the majority of his life into learning about veterinary medicine and sharing his passion with others. 

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Claude Bourgelat: https://cvm.msu.edu/vetschool-tails/rinderpest-and-the-first-veterinary-school

    Claude Bourgelat was born on March 27th, 1792 in Lyon, France. In his youth, he was a soldier, and following that he studied law. His life ended up taking a turn when at only 28 years old, he was appointed chief of the riding school of Lyon, a school for horse riders. Here at this academy, he found his passion: animals. Horses were very popular during this period of time, so a majority of veterinary medicine was centered around them. Bourgelat even assisted in writing the horse section of the Encyclopedia. He spent his days learning every aspect possible about horses. 

    During this time, veterinary care was practiced primarily by farmers tending to their own horses. Bourgelat made it clear that in order for more than just basic care to take place, a certain degree of education is needed by the individuals performing the treatments. He opened a small veterinary school working only off of a minuscule grant donated due to a catastrophic animal disease known as rinderpest spreading and infecting cattle. Eventually, the disease was put to an end by the veterinary school students, and the school was officially given the title of Royal Veterinary School. With government support, Claude Bourgelat opened up a second veterinary school in Alfort, France. 

    Bourgelat continued to teach veterinary medicine until his death in 1779 at age 67. Claude devoted his life to learning about the science behind animals, advancing it, and teaching others about his passion. He had a small beginning but took every opportunity to make his thoughts known. The founding of his veterinary schools is largely known as the beginning of the veterinary profession as we know it. Claude Bourgelat made it known that veterinary medicine is an intricate science that must be studied, fully understood, and practiced seriously. 

Works Cited: 

"Claude Bourgelat." words from old books, Chalmers, n.d., http://words.fromoldbooks.org/Chalmers-Biography/b/bourgelat-claude.html

"Rinderpest and the First Veterinary School." Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine,  Michigan State University, 11 March 2019, https://cvm.msu.edu/vetschool-tails/rinderpest-and-the-first-veterinary-school#:~:text=For%20centuries%2C%20the%20veterinary%20profession,the%20realm%20of%20veterinary%20medicine.