History of veterinary association in the Netherlands around 1850. The influence of the Central Veterinary Society (1848-1862)

In this paper a review is given of the different stages of the professionalization process of veterinary medicine in the Netherlands around 1850. From 1827 onwards, various professional veterinary journals were published by lecturers from the State Veterinary School in Utrecht. In 1842, the first veterinary society was established in the province of Groningen. Other provinces followed suit. Most of these societies only consisted of 5-10 members. Between 1848 and 1861 meetings were organised on a national level within the framework of the Central Veterinary Society. Apart from professional issues on the agenda, such as the struggle against quacks and veterinary legislation, these meetings were also used to discuss various animal diseases and their proposed treatments. Mainly due to mutual disputes between members and the local societies, it took until 1862 before the Netherlands Veterinary Association was established.