Horses in WW1

[bodhranlady]

My apologies if this is the wrong place. I am making this post in the faint hope someone out there has information or can tell me where I might get such information.

During the Crimean war horses suffered terribly from what came to be know as Crimean War disease (verrucous pastern dermatitis), this is preventable and it was eradicated at the end of that century. During WW! horses didn't become infected with this despite the horrendous mud, the damp and unhygenic conditions. Now, a rescue horse I know has this really horrid disease and modern medicine seems to be pretty usless and I was wondering whether you might know how durign the war the horsemen kept their horses free of the condition.

Many thanks and fingers crossed

Val

[sjustice]

Hello Val,

Not sure about the uselessness of modern (presumably veterinary) medicine, but if you can get access to the journal 'Vetinary Dermatology' there are many articles on the subject. For example: Poore, L.A.B., Else, R.W. and Licka, T.L. 'The clinical presentation and surgical treatment of verrucous dermatitis lesions in a draught horse', Veterinary Dermatology, 1 (23) (2012), pp. 71-e17.

For the contemporary historical perspective: L.J. Blenkinsop and J.W. Rainey, eds., History of the Great War based on official documents by direction of the Historical Section of the Committee of Imperial Defence. Veterinary Services: Casualties and Medical Statistics of the Great War (London: HMSO, 1925). Not sure if that will answer your question, specifically, but it may at least provide pointers.

Good luck.

Cheers,

Simon

[seaJane]

The Museum of the Army Medical Services also includes the Army Veterinary Corps (Royal prefix November 1918) and might have the sources for what was done - but in a modern context surely the Royal Veterinary College would be best?

http://www.ams-museum.org.uk/museum/

http://www.rvc.ac.uk/About/Index.cfm

sJ

[Charpoi Warrior]

Val

I have spoken to an acquaintance at the Dick Vet in Edinburgh and I think you are being harsh on modern vets. The disease was not present in Great War horses as they were regularly checked for it and did not become infected, the same (by and large) as men and trenchfoot. Different diseases but the same principle applied, the conditions that caused the disease were not allowed to prevail. Horses did not reach the stage where it was untreatable unlike neglected horses then and now. As you say it is preventable, but I'm not sure it is curable even now.

[bodhranlady]

Thanks all. Not harsh on modern medicine Charpoi Warrior, it is just that they have tried all they know and now it is "as good as it is going to get". The horse was badly neglected which caused the condition in the first place and I am just want to know if there is anything else we can do for her, she is a lovely old girl and deserves all we can do. I will take a look at all your suggestions

Again my thanks

[Charpoi Warrior]

No problem Val, I must have misunderstood "and modern medicine seems to be pretty usless".