THE ITALIAN ARMY VETERINARY SERVICE IN THE FIRST WORLD WAR THROUGH PICTURES

This note contributes to the history of Military Veterinary Medicine during the First World War (1915-1918) in Italian front, illustrating the diversified and efficient commitment of the Italian Army Veterinary Service, in particular in support of the logistics. The military veterinarians participated and with heavy duties to the conflict and, like their medical colleagues, by paying a blood tribute. At the begin of 1915 there were 219 AVC officers Regular and at the time of the armistice 2819 veterinary were serving in the AVC. The Royal Italian Army had around 320.000 total number of quadrupeds (horses and mules) mobilized and during the course of the war had lost some 76.000 (around 23,80%). Around 260.000 sick and wounded quadrupeds were hospitalized, with 87,5% of all injured animals cared for by the corps being able to return to duty. Mobile veterinary sections were established to evacuate sick and wounded animals to the veterinary hospitals where they could be treated. Around 600.000 interventions of prompt application of first aid were carried out from the veterinary officers of the fighting units near the front lines. The AVC officers were responsible for the local provision of livestock for slaughter, meat inspection before being utilized by troops and the rearing of livestock. Roles of the AVC officers were to prevent the introduction and spread of contagious disease, to supervise and organize the transport of animals, to take care of food for the animals included the dogs, to supervise the ferries during the shoeing to care for horses' feet, to provide provisions for the disposal of deceased animals carcasses. Our data and our pictures mostly unpublished concern the Royal Army Veterinary Corps and its action on the front and the rears of the Italian territory.