Reminiscence
HISTORY OF VETERINARY DERMATOLOGY GEORGE H. MULLER, D.V.M.
have attempts been made to classify animal skin diseases correctly and learn about their true causes. The Egyptians wrote about using "gourds of cucumbers" to make a drying remedy for wounds.' Topical medicaVeterinary dermatology began to tions in use at that time ineluded the emerge as a specialty in 1902 with the somewhat appealing beer, honey and publication of Schindelka's book Skin wax, but also such repulsive substances Diseases of Domestic Animals,^ the first as the dung of snakes and lizards. book devoted exclusively to animal derThe Creek physician Aesculapius matology. Schindelka started writing his (1321-1243 B.C.) was reported to have book about 1898 and continued until treated many animals in addition to peo1908, when he published the second and ple.+ He was especially interested in skin final edition. Almo.st 100 years earlier, diseases and stressed the importance of from 1798-1808, Robert Willan launched good skin care, using frequent baths, modern human dermatology with his treatise On Cutaneous Diseases.^ Willan rubbing with towels and application of can be credited with bringing order and lotions. Aristotle (384 B.C.) was said to logic to this specialty. Similarly, Schinhave observed mange mites in cases of delka helped organize veterinary dermaanimal scabies. tology 100 years later The Roman scholar Pliny the Elder (Caius Plinius Secundus, 23-79 A.D.) wrote about the treatment of animal Ancient Dermatology skin diseases, including many remedies Skin diseases have plagued domestic for dermatoses. Pliny's treatment of skin animals since antiquity. People, in turn, diseases seems strictly empirical; he felt compelled to take action, often viggives a multiude of remedies, including orous, to treat the animals' diseased skin. sulfur and tar and olive oil, fish liver oil Interestingly enough, a few successful and butter. remedies have survived for hundreds of The Roman Vergil (Publicus Verilius years and are in use today. Many others Maro, 70-19 B.C.) seemed especially harmed more than they helped and were interested in skin diseases of animals. He discontinued. Only in the last century described mange in sheep and listed its causes as cold rain, wounds from thorns Prepared at the request of the Gommittee on and salty sweat after shearing. Since Gomparative Dermatology of the American "mange" included many diseases in Academy of Dermatology. From the Department of Dermatology, Stanford University Medical School, Stanford, California
57
58
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY
those days, we cannot evaluate the accuracy of the causes. As to true mange (scabies), the Arabian physician BenSohr, in the 12th century, discovered how mites burrow in the skin.^ 16th and 19th Century Dermatology
Later in England, Fitzherbert states in his Book of Husbandry^ in 1523 that scabies and lice of sheep should be treated with a mixture of tar in oil or grease. During the same period, old German veterinary texts advised liberal use of sulfur in goose grease for skin diseases. George Turberville included in his book The Noble Art of Venerie or Hunting^ in 1576 a chapter "Of the Maunge, Tettares, Ringwormes and Scabbes in a Dogge." Here, Turberville made the first attempt in literature to classify skin diseases of dogs. He lists red mange, scaly mange, black mange and common mange. His remedies include walnut oil, oil of cade; honey, tar, vinegar, wax, sulfur and various herbs. In reading old veterinary works, we see that terminology needs proper interpretation. For instance, it seems that the word mange was once a synonym for almost all skin diseases of animals. Although in modern times mange refers to those diseases associated with mites, many centuries ago it was a catch-all term for numerous dermatoses. The word mange is a middle English term (originally spelled manjewe) derived from the old French mangier (an itch) and the modern French manger (to eat). Originally, it came from the Latin mandere (to chew). This condition was aptly named for its raw, crusted, eaten-out appearance. Some attempts were made in the middle of the 19th century to adapt human
Jan.-Feb. 1977
Vol. 16
terminology to animal dermatoses. One such example is Ghapter XIV in the Handy Book of Veterinary Homeopathy^ by the English veterinarian James Moore in 1869. He bravely tried to fit animal skin diseases into human categories but failed because he was unaware of the difference in hair coat, pigmentation and epidermal thickness of animal skin. He tried to classify animal skin diseases under such headings as erythematous eruptions, vescicular eruptions, pustular eruptions and parasitic diseases. Only the last one, being etiologic, was a successful classification. The search for logic in classification, nomenclature and diagnosis continued from 1850 to 1950. Numerous good scientific articles appeared in journals; chapters on skin diseases were included in many veterinary books. Emphasis was usually placed on diseases of large animals. It is not practical to list or discuss all the chapters. Some of them only summarized existing knowledge, but others attempted to add original observations. Two popular books containing chapters on dermatology will be discussed next. Hutyra and Marek published the first German edition of their book Special Pathology and Therapy of Domestic Animals in 1905.^ It was revised several times and later translated into English. The last section is devoted to skin diseases of horses, cattle, sheep, swine, goats, rabbits, dogs, cats, poultry and other animals. It is well organized and much thought was given to improved dermatologic nomenclature. Muller and Glass's Diseases of the Dog and their Treatment^ appeared in its third edition in 1911. Itwas based on the original German textbook by George Muller of Dresden, Germany (Die Krankheiten des Hundes) in 1902. Although the chapter on skin diseases in this book is short.
No. 1
VETERINARY MEDICINE
it is interesting and contains several dermatological illustrations. One-fourth of the chapter is devoted to "eczema," a fact which demonstrates the popularity of that term in the early tvi'entieth century. Pioneers in Veterinary Dermatology
The main credit for early progress in veterinary dermatology, however, must go to four men who will be discussed next: Schneidemuhl, Schindelka, Heller, and Krai. Their work in dermatology ranges from 1891 to 1968. At this point it is appropriate to distinguish between veterinary and comparative dermatology. Veterinary dermatology deals with the diagnosis, the description and the treatment of skin diseases of animals. Comparative dermatology differs by dealing with the comparison of human and animal skin diseases through experimental animal models and spontaneously occurring animal dermatoses. Ceorg Schneidemuhl George Schneidemuhl, a German veterinarian, was born in 1853. Although he had liked dermatology, his interests included many other fields of veterinary medicine. The reason for his inclusion in this section is the chapter on skin diseases in his textbook The Comparative Pathology and Therapy of Man and Domestic /4n;ma/s'o written in 1898. This first formal discussion of comparative dermatology laid the groundwork for later studies by Schindelka and Heller. Each disease was described first as it occurs in man and then as it occurs in animals. His observations were clear, his organization logical, and he avoided speculation when the cause was unknown. Adapted from human dermatology were eight primary and five secondary skin lesions, and dermatoses were
Muller
broadly divided into parasitic and nonparasitic diseases. Very interesting is his observation of the greater difficulty in diagnosing animal skin diseases because their bodies are covered by hair and are often heavily pigmented. Among the diseases of comparative interest he makes the following divisions: 1. Skin diseases of man that also occur in animals: eczema, cutaneous pruritus, pemphigus, ichthyosis, hyperhidrosis, chromidrosis, acne, furunculosis, congenital alopecia, favus, impetigo, scabies, tumors and other diseases. 2. Skin diseases of man that have not yet been found in animals: erythroderma nodosum, psoriasis, pityriasis, lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, seborrhea, pityriasis versicolor, xanthoma, rhinoderma, xeroderma pigmentosa and other diseases. Hugo Schindelka Although Schneidemuhl and others made contributions, the real beginning of veterinary dermatology occurred at the turn of this century when Schindelka (1853-1913) completed the first book on skin diseases of domestic animals (/-/a'ufi
HISTORY OF VETERINARY DERMATOLOGY GEORGE H. MULLER, D.V.M.
have attempts been made to classify animal skin diseases correctly and learn about their true causes. The Egyptians wrote about using "gourds of cucumbers" to make a drying remedy for wounds.' Topical medicaVeterinary dermatology began to tions in use at that time ineluded the emerge as a specialty in 1902 with the somewhat appealing beer, honey and publication of Schindelka's book Skin wax, but also such repulsive substances Diseases of Domestic Animals,^ the first as the dung of snakes and lizards. book devoted exclusively to animal derThe Creek physician Aesculapius matology. Schindelka started writing his (1321-1243 B.C.) was reported to have book about 1898 and continued until treated many animals in addition to peo1908, when he published the second and ple.+ He was especially interested in skin final edition. Almo.st 100 years earlier, diseases and stressed the importance of from 1798-1808, Robert Willan launched good skin care, using frequent baths, modern human dermatology with his treatise On Cutaneous Diseases.^ Willan rubbing with towels and application of can be credited with bringing order and lotions. Aristotle (384 B.C.) was said to logic to this specialty. Similarly, Schinhave observed mange mites in cases of delka helped organize veterinary dermaanimal scabies. tology 100 years later The Roman scholar Pliny the Elder (Caius Plinius Secundus, 23-79 A.D.) wrote about the treatment of animal Ancient Dermatology skin diseases, including many remedies Skin diseases have plagued domestic for dermatoses. Pliny's treatment of skin animals since antiquity. People, in turn, diseases seems strictly empirical; he felt compelled to take action, often viggives a multiude of remedies, including orous, to treat the animals' diseased skin. sulfur and tar and olive oil, fish liver oil Interestingly enough, a few successful and butter. remedies have survived for hundreds of The Roman Vergil (Publicus Verilius years and are in use today. Many others Maro, 70-19 B.C.) seemed especially harmed more than they helped and were interested in skin diseases of animals. He discontinued. Only in the last century described mange in sheep and listed its causes as cold rain, wounds from thorns Prepared at the request of the Gommittee on and salty sweat after shearing. Since Gomparative Dermatology of the American "mange" included many diseases in Academy of Dermatology. From the Department of Dermatology, Stanford University Medical School, Stanford, California
57
58
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY
those days, we cannot evaluate the accuracy of the causes. As to true mange (scabies), the Arabian physician BenSohr, in the 12th century, discovered how mites burrow in the skin.^ 16th and 19th Century Dermatology
Later in England, Fitzherbert states in his Book of Husbandry^ in 1523 that scabies and lice of sheep should be treated with a mixture of tar in oil or grease. During the same period, old German veterinary texts advised liberal use of sulfur in goose grease for skin diseases. George Turberville included in his book The Noble Art of Venerie or Hunting^ in 1576 a chapter "Of the Maunge, Tettares, Ringwormes and Scabbes in a Dogge." Here, Turberville made the first attempt in literature to classify skin diseases of dogs. He lists red mange, scaly mange, black mange and common mange. His remedies include walnut oil, oil of cade; honey, tar, vinegar, wax, sulfur and various herbs. In reading old veterinary works, we see that terminology needs proper interpretation. For instance, it seems that the word mange was once a synonym for almost all skin diseases of animals. Although in modern times mange refers to those diseases associated with mites, many centuries ago it was a catch-all term for numerous dermatoses. The word mange is a middle English term (originally spelled manjewe) derived from the old French mangier (an itch) and the modern French manger (to eat). Originally, it came from the Latin mandere (to chew). This condition was aptly named for its raw, crusted, eaten-out appearance. Some attempts were made in the middle of the 19th century to adapt human
Jan.-Feb. 1977
Vol. 16
terminology to animal dermatoses. One such example is Ghapter XIV in the Handy Book of Veterinary Homeopathy^ by the English veterinarian James Moore in 1869. He bravely tried to fit animal skin diseases into human categories but failed because he was unaware of the difference in hair coat, pigmentation and epidermal thickness of animal skin. He tried to classify animal skin diseases under such headings as erythematous eruptions, vescicular eruptions, pustular eruptions and parasitic diseases. Only the last one, being etiologic, was a successful classification. The search for logic in classification, nomenclature and diagnosis continued from 1850 to 1950. Numerous good scientific articles appeared in journals; chapters on skin diseases were included in many veterinary books. Emphasis was usually placed on diseases of large animals. It is not practical to list or discuss all the chapters. Some of them only summarized existing knowledge, but others attempted to add original observations. Two popular books containing chapters on dermatology will be discussed next. Hutyra and Marek published the first German edition of their book Special Pathology and Therapy of Domestic Animals in 1905.^ It was revised several times and later translated into English. The last section is devoted to skin diseases of horses, cattle, sheep, swine, goats, rabbits, dogs, cats, poultry and other animals. It is well organized and much thought was given to improved dermatologic nomenclature. Muller and Glass's Diseases of the Dog and their Treatment^ appeared in its third edition in 1911. Itwas based on the original German textbook by George Muller of Dresden, Germany (Die Krankheiten des Hundes) in 1902. Although the chapter on skin diseases in this book is short.
No. 1
VETERINARY MEDICINE
it is interesting and contains several dermatological illustrations. One-fourth of the chapter is devoted to "eczema," a fact which demonstrates the popularity of that term in the early tvi'entieth century. Pioneers in Veterinary Dermatology
The main credit for early progress in veterinary dermatology, however, must go to four men who will be discussed next: Schneidemuhl, Schindelka, Heller, and Krai. Their work in dermatology ranges from 1891 to 1968. At this point it is appropriate to distinguish between veterinary and comparative dermatology. Veterinary dermatology deals with the diagnosis, the description and the treatment of skin diseases of animals. Comparative dermatology differs by dealing with the comparison of human and animal skin diseases through experimental animal models and spontaneously occurring animal dermatoses. Ceorg Schneidemuhl George Schneidemuhl, a German veterinarian, was born in 1853. Although he had liked dermatology, his interests included many other fields of veterinary medicine. The reason for his inclusion in this section is the chapter on skin diseases in his textbook The Comparative Pathology and Therapy of Man and Domestic /4n;ma/s'o written in 1898. This first formal discussion of comparative dermatology laid the groundwork for later studies by Schindelka and Heller. Each disease was described first as it occurs in man and then as it occurs in animals. His observations were clear, his organization logical, and he avoided speculation when the cause was unknown. Adapted from human dermatology were eight primary and five secondary skin lesions, and dermatoses were
Muller
broadly divided into parasitic and nonparasitic diseases. Very interesting is his observation of the greater difficulty in diagnosing animal skin diseases because their bodies are covered by hair and are often heavily pigmented. Among the diseases of comparative interest he makes the following divisions: 1. Skin diseases of man that also occur in animals: eczema, cutaneous pruritus, pemphigus, ichthyosis, hyperhidrosis, chromidrosis, acne, furunculosis, congenital alopecia, favus, impetigo, scabies, tumors and other diseases. 2. Skin diseases of man that have not yet been found in animals: erythroderma nodosum, psoriasis, pityriasis, lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, seborrhea, pityriasis versicolor, xanthoma, rhinoderma, xeroderma pigmentosa and other diseases. Hugo Schindelka Although Schneidemuhl and others made contributions, the real beginning of veterinary dermatology occurred at the turn of this century when Schindelka (1853-1913) completed the first book on skin diseases of domestic animals (/-/a'ufi
