[Veterinary medical work of Johann Christian Polycarp Erxleben, the first teacher of veterinary medicine in Germany].
Erxleben could be regarded as the founder of the modern, systematic and scientific training of verterinary surgeons in Germany. Thanks to an open-minded up-bringing and a large interest in other scientific fields beyond his medical studies he acquired the ideal basis to turn veterinary medicine into a subject at university. He acquired his knowledge in veterinary medicine by reading numerous veterinary books and by visiting the Netherlands and France and the expert of horses Johann Baptist von Sind. Since 1770 he started with veterinary lessons. When planning his teaching, he tried to avoid the mistakes made by the first schools in France. In order to do so he attached a great importance to a fundamental but practical training. Erxleben also wrote two volumes about veterinary medicine, which he used as a literary basis for his lessons.
D004520:Education, Veterinary / Q000266:history*; D005180:Faculty, Medical / Q000266:history*; D005858:Germany; D049671:History, 18th Century; D006801:Humans; D014730:Veterinary Medicine / Q000266:history*