Letters between Frederick Smith and Fred Bullock, Secretary of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons [RCVS]. The main subject of discussion is research carried out by Smith, with Bullock’s assistance, regarding manuscript and literary sources of veterinary history and biography during the sixteenth, seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. At this time, Smith has two regular series of articles appearing in print: ‘Veterinary History of the War in South Africa’ published in ‘Veterinary Record’; and ‘Early History of Veterinary Literature’ published in ‘Journal of Comparative Pathology and Therapeutics’. Particular topics discussed include: manuscripts held by the British Museum, include the Sloane collection; the collections in the Library of the RCVS and the Royal Veterinary College; interpretation and translation of historical works by authors including Blundeville and Leonard Mascall; plagiarism by veterinary authors; communication with individuals such as Dr A S Lea, Leon Moule and Lieutenant Colonel Lupinacci; arranging for photography of manuscripts; reviews of and issues relating to Smith’s publications; and personal matters such as Smith’s ill health. Smith returned to the Army Veterinary Service upon the outbreak of the First World War [World War, 1914-1918], but there is very little mention of this in the letters.
