More Than an Old Book
Tucked away in the archives of veterinary history is a manuscript with the cumbersome title: "Erkandnuß deren innerlichen Krankheiten des Pferds überhaupt" ("Knowledge of the Internal Diseases of the Horse in General").
Published in 1770 at the Kayserlich-Königliche Pferd-Cur und Operations Schul (the Imperial-Royal Horse Cure and Operation School) in Vienna, this textbook is recognized as the oldest German textbook on the internal medicine of horses 1 . But it is far more than a simple antique. This manual represents a pivotal moment in history, a time when the art of animal healing began its transformation into the science of veterinary medicine.
It is a tangible link to the founding of the first veterinary school in the German-speaking world and a window into the sophisticated—and often interconnected—world of 18th-century European science. Its pages, a blend of translated French works and the original experiences of its creator, Ludwig Scotti, showcase the highest level of veterinary knowledge of its era and mark the dawn of a new, professional approach to animal health 1 .
First German Textbook
Oldest known German text on equine internal medicine
Equine Focus
Dedicated to the health of horses, vital to 18th century society
Scientific Foundation
Marked the transition from traditional healing to scientific veterinary medicine
The Stage: Vienna's Equestrian Epicenter
To understand the textbook's significance, one must first appreciate the world in which it was created. In the 18th century, the horse was the cornerstone of empire. It was essential for the military, transportation, agriculture, and the prestige of the aristocracy. Vienna, the heart of the Habsburg Empire, was a city built around the horse.
Decades before the veterinary school was founded, the Spanish Riding School was already a Viennese institution. Established in 1572, it was dedicated to the highest art of classical horsemanship 2 4 . Its name derived from the Spanish horse breeds that were the foundation of the elegant Lipizzaner stallions for which it is now famous 2 7 .
These magnificent Renaissance stables, constructed in the 1560s, have been continuously housing the Lipizzaners for centuries 3 . They represent the long-standing imperial commitment to equine welfare and culture.
The Kayserlich-Königliche Pferd-Cur und Operations Schul was the final, crucial piece. Its establishment signaled a move away from knowledge passed down through farriers and stable masters toward a formal, academic education in animal medicine 1 . The 1770 textbook was a product of this very school.
This unique ecosystem—a world-class riding school, historic stables, and a pioneering educational institution—made Vienna the ideal place for such a groundbreaking text to emerge. The horse was not just an animal there; it was a symbol of power, art, and science.
Vienna's Equestrian Timeline
1560s
Construction of the Stallburg Stables begins, providing a permanent home for the imperial horses 3 .
1762
Claude Bourgelat establishes the first modern veterinary school in Lyon, France, influencing veterinary education across Europe.
1770
Publication of the oldest German textbook on equine internal medicine at Vienna's veterinary school 1 .
The Architect of Knowledge: Ludwig Scotti and His Methods
The driving force behind this textbook was Ludwig Scotti, the founder and first teacher of the Vienna veterinary school 1 . While the text itself is an anonymous manuscript, historians have identified it through "take downs" of Scotti's lectures, meaning it was likely a transcript created by his students 1 . Scotti's work provides a fascinating case study in how scientific knowledge was built and shared in the 18th century.
Scotti was not working in a vacuum. The first part of his manuscript, dealing with internal medicine, is largely a literal translation of Lafosse's "Guide de Maréchal," a key French text 1 . Similarly, the section on pharmacology is mostly a copy of the German translation of Claude Bourgelat's "Matière médicale" (published in 1766) 1 . Bourgelat is widely credited with founding the first modern veterinary school in Lyon, France, in 1762, so his influence on the German-speaking world through Scotti's work was profound.
Scotti was more than a translator. He actively inserted his own theories and practical experiences into these established texts 1 . He rewrote chapters, added new ones, and included his own prescriptions that could not be found in Bourgelat's original work 1 . This practice transformed the manuscript from a mere copy into an original teaching tool adapted for the specific needs and conditions of the Habsburg Empire.
This approach of synthesizing the best available international knowledge with firsthand clinical experience exemplifies the "entangled" nature of early science, where borders were porous and knowledge was a collective, European endeavor 5 .
Knowledge Synthesis in 18th Century Veterinary Science
How Scotti Built Veterinary Knowledge
French Sources
Lafosse's "Guide de Maréchal"
Bourgelat's "Matière médicale"
Scotti's Additions
Rewritten chapters
New content based on experience
Original prescriptions
1770 Vienna Textbook
Synthesized knowledge adapted for Austrian context
The Scientist's Toolkit: Equine Medicine in 1770
The field of equine medicine in the late 18th century relied on a mix of traditional herbal knowledge and emerging scientific principles. While the search results do not provide a specific list of reagents from Scotti's manuscript, based on the context of contemporary practices, a veterinarian's toolkit would have included various natural substances.
| Reagent/Material | Function and Application |
|---|---|
| Medicinal Herbs | Used to create poultices, tisanes, and electuaries for treating inflammation, digestive issues, and wounds. |
| Mineral Substances | Employed as antiseptics, astringents, or purgatives. For example, salt was used for cleansing wounds. |
| Animal Products | Utilized in various treatments; for instance, animal fats were common bases for salves and ointments. |
| Simple Surgical Tools | Included lancets for bloodletting, probes, and basic blades for minor operations and wound management. |
Veterinary medicine in Scotti's time was a blend of traditional knowledge and emerging scientific approaches. Treatments often relied on:
- Observation and Diagnosis: Careful examination of symptoms and behavior
- Herbal Remedies: Extensive use of plants with known medicinal properties
- Basic Surgery: Minor operations and wound treatment
- Bloodletting: A common practice believed to balance bodily humors
- Dietary Management: Adjusting feed to address specific health issues
A Legacy in Motion: From 1770 to the Modern Day
The creation of Scotti's textbook was not an isolated event but a critical step in the long, slow process of veterinary professionalization. This process in the German-speaking world was heavily influenced by the state, particularly through the establishment of the Veterinärpolizei (veterinary police) in Prussia in 1817, which tasked veterinarians with controlling diseases like cattle plague 5 . This state-backed model gave German veterinarians a public role that distinguished them from mere animal healers and helped them achieve status alongside physicians 5 .
The legacy of this Viennese beginning is still alive today. The Spanish Riding School continues to operate, a living museum of the equestrian arts that Scotti's school was founded to support 2 4 . Its Lipizzaner stallions are still stabled in the historic Stallburg, their home since the 16th century 3 . And the stud farm in Piber, which supplies these famous horses, continues a breeding program that is itself a scientific and cultural heritage 6 .
| Institution | Founding Date | Continuous Role Since the 18th Century |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish Riding School | 1572 2 | Preserving and performing the classical art of Renaissance dressage 2 4 |
| The Stallburg Stables | 1560s 3 | Providing a stable home for the Lipizzaner stallions 3 |
| Piber Federal Stud | 1798 6 | Breeding the Lipizzaner horses for the Spanish Riding School 6 |
Enduring Traditions
The Spanish Riding School continues the classical dressage traditions that were contemporary with Scotti's veterinary work.
Modern Veterinary Science
Today's equine medicine builds on the foundations laid by pioneers like Scotti, with advanced diagnostics and treatments.
An Ending That Is a Beginning
The old German textbook on horse medicine, edited in Vienna in 1770, is a powerful reminder that scientific progress is a cumulative journey. Ludwig Scotti and his colleagues stood at a crossroads, using translations and personal experience to lay a foundation for a new profession.
They operated in a city where the lipizzaner's graceful capriole in the Winter Riding Hall was as important as the veterinarian's careful diagnosis in the stable. This manuscript is more than a historical curiosity; it is a testament to the moment when caring for animals began its formal transition from a trade to a science, a legacy that continues to inform how we understand and care for the creatures that share our world.