Veterinary Physician
Veterinary Physician
(or veterinarian), a highly qualified specialist who is occupied with the treatment of animals, disease prophylaxis, and veterinary sanitary measures. A veterinarian is qualified to practice after he has graduated from a veterinary institute or department of veterinary science at a university. The veterinarian is considered to be an agricultural specialist; however, his work goes beyond the bounds of agriculture, inasmuch as measures directed against animal diseases are simultaneously a part of the antiepidemic and medical safeguarding of man. The veterinarian is also charged with control of the sanitary quality of livestock produce used as food. The USSR is first in the world in number of veterinarians—74,709 (1968). The USA and Japan each have 19,000; the Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, and Spain each have 9,000 veterinarians.