Celebrating World Veterinary Year 2011
The World Veterinary Year 2011 Award was presented to L’Ecole Nationale Veterinaire de Lyon, accepted on its behalf by the Director General and Dean, Dr Stephane Martinot.
He told delegates he was delighted to be invited to Congress and to receive this award and he urged the profession to continue to move forward and build on what Bourgelat started.
He said: “It is a great honour for the veterinary school of Lyon to be here today and for me to accept this award from the BSAVA on its behalf, thank-you for this. It is not only the anniversary of the school but of the profession too. I am sure all of us will work together to make the profession even more well known.
“What makes veterinary science so special is the dedication of all who work in the profession. Our work is also important for human beings, and while we are known for treating animals we are making sure that food is high quality as we try to prevent problems.”
250 years ago, in 1761, Claude Bourgelat founded the world’s first veterinary school in Lyon, France. In 1740 Claude Bourgelat, at 28 years of age, became Grand Equerry of France and Director of the Lyon Academy of Horsemanship. The Academy taught the equestrian arts and swordsmanship, together with mathematics, music and ‘elegant manners’ to young noblemen.
In 1744, he published his first work the ‘Nouveau Traité de Cavalerie’ (A new Treatise on Horsemanship). He went on to publish a number of articles, carried out a detailed dissection of the horse and became a corresponding member of the Academy of Science in Paris.
In 1761 the Government of Louis XV wished to promote the prevention of cattle disease, the protection of grazing land and the training of farmers. Bourgelat’s mentor Henri-Léonard Bertin became the agent of this agricultural reform, initiated by the King. He proposed that a veterinary school should be founded in Lyon, and that the director should be Bourgelat. On 4 August 1761 an order of the King’s Council authorised Bourgelat to ‘open a school in which the principles and methods whereby livestock diseases may be cured will be taught in public’.
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