Love them or loathe them the Olympic Games have arrived. Britain’s oldest royal park, Greenwich Park, will host the Equestrian(and modern Pentathlon) events. The picturesque venue dates back to 1433 and is the former hunting ground of the rich and athletic. King Henry VIII introduced deer to the park in 1515, and considering himself an accomplished […]
Without exercise, the body’s ‘juices will thicken, the joints will stiffen, the nerves will relax… and a crazy old age must ensue’. This less than comforting thought is presented by George Cheyne in his Essay of Health and Long Life, published in 1724. Although the science in Cheyne’s musings might be considered a little off, […]
Nominations are currently been sought for RCVS Honorary Fellowship or Honorary Associateship. These prestigious honours have a long history. The RCVS has had the power to bestow them since the Supplemental Charter of 1876, with the first Honorary Associateships made in 1880. The minutes of the Council meeting of 29 July record President George Fleming’s […]
Parakeets are often on my mind because the squawking of the Ring-necked parakeet (Psittacula krameri), which is now naturalised in the UK, accompanies my journey to work most mornings when walking down the road to the station or passing through St James Park. This beautiful illustration is of the Alexandrine parakeet (Psittacula eupatria), a close relative […]
In 1900, Frederick Smith was serving as a veterinary officer in the South African War. The entries in his official war diary for August of that year show that the focus of his attention at that time was on finding a new site for the veterinary hospital which he had responsibility for. The hospital was […]
We have always been fortunate to receive regular donations of books and historical material that enhance our Collection. It is not uncommon for the donor of the work to tell us something about the material – how they have used it or why they are gifting it to us. These personal stories add real interest […]
October is Black History Month so this seems an appropriate time to look at the life and work of Jotello Soga the first black member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Jotello Festiri Soga (1865-1906) was born in the Transkei, South Africa, the fifth son of the Reverend Tiyo Soga. Reverend Soga had been educated […]
The editorial in the issue of The Veterinary Record published 100 years ago today was titled ‘Some changes in our profession’. In it the author links the noticeable decline in equine veterinary work to the development of ‘motor traction’ but also notes that: “new channels of work are opening up to us in compensation…The two […]
Tonight the RCVS President will welcome to the College a group of those who have helped it run smoothly over the last year. Invitees to the President’s Reception include examiners, those involved with the Practice Standards Scheme, members of the House of Lords and House of Commons, presidents of the veterinary and veterinary nursing associations […]
