Abstract
Many in the world of veterinary pathology are certainly familiar with Dr Norman Cheville. His well-recognized texts and reference books include Cell Pathology, Ultrastructural Pathology, and Introduction to Veterinary Pathology. Indeed, these are so well known that some may have “memorized” (intentionally or not) all or portions of them in preparing for board exams! Now later in life Dr Cheville has presented us with yet another book that is included in a series published by Purdue University under the banner of New Directions in The Human-Animal Bond. This new work, titled Pioneer Science and the Great Plagues, contrasts with his others in that it is an historical account of the evolution of the veterinary profession. The focus is on the profession’s rather rocky rise from trade-school beginnings, and how its eventual scientific underpinnings and further diversifications were influenced by some of the early “great” plagues and plague-like diseases such as rinderpest, influenza, anthrax, and many others. In the process the author provides an historical context on the world and national events (politics included) that serve as a setting for many of these infectious disease outbreaks.
As the current COVID-19 crisis reminds us, it is often infectious disease outbreaks that best highlight the concept of “One Medicine.” The book aptly illustrates this emergent theme. If it had not been for the close interaction between early veterinarians and physicians struggling to understand and contain a variety of infectious diseases, the discipline of veterinary medicine as we know it today would likely have taken much longer to evolve. In fact, although the concept of “One Medicine” is only recently recognized under this moniker, Dr Cheville outlines that the concept has been with us in some form since the earliest years of our profession. For instance, it is interesting that medical luminaries such as David Fairchild, MD—who served both as dean of a medical school and founder of a veterinary school—and William Mayo, MD—founder of the Mayo Clinic—both practiced veterinary medicine for a time. In particular, Fairchild directly contributed to the evolution of the profession’s much needed science-based education and participated in the training of many early veterinarians. Other examples illustrating and supporting this theme abound throughout the book.
The book is focused primarily on the early years of the veterinary profession, and frequently on the discipline of pathology, as they emerged in Europe, and spread and grew on the East Coast and in the Midwest of the United States. There seems to be particular focus on the state of Iowa and other Midwestern states both because of the central role that these institutions played but likely also because Dr Cheville is both an alumnus and former dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University. There is less emphasis on the later emergence of the profession and the contributions of schools in the West and South although this does not necessarily detract from the basic overview and story provided by this new work. The book is well referenced but is not encyclopedic—your “favorite” disease, institution, or scientist may have been missed but nevertheless it is a great effort put forth in a highly readable form. It is recommended to all with an interest or involvement at any level in the fields of veterinary and comparative medicine.