V. Vucevacbajt et M. Karlovic, TRADITIONAL METHODS FOR THE TREATMENT OF ANIMAL DISEASES IN CROATIA, Revue scientifique et technique - Office international des epizooties, 13(2), 1994, pp. 499-512
Traditional methods of treatment for animal diseases, particularly non
-infectious diseases, occupy a special place in the history of the Cro
atian veterinary profession. The use of medicinal herbs in the treatme
nt of various diseases has been described in a large number of publica
tions. Folk medicine also frequently contains an element of magical pr
actices, as well as the use of animal and plant matter and minerals. D
reckapotecke (so-called 'dirty' medicines and 'dirty' pharmacy) also f
ormed part of healing practice in the 17th and 18th centuries. In the
veterinary ljekarusas (collections of early medical texts), the best r
ecommendations relate to surgical interventions; few instructions were
given for the treatment of parasitic and internal ailments, even fewe
r for obstetrical problems and infectious diseases. In folk medicine,
there existed some harmful treatment methods, and a number of indiffer
ent medicaments were in use. In most cases, the value of the treatment
applied was dubious. However, since the very beginning of the 'empiri
cal' phase of the fight against disease, a number of relatively effect
ive practices from folk medicine have been adapted and introduced into
scientific medicinal praxis.