M. Bourgelat - Important manuscrit XVIIIe – Haras royaux – École vétérinaire d’Alfort - 1786

Remarkable ancient manuscript, entirely written in brown ink, devoted to the organization of royal stud farms, to horse breeding, and to French veterinary knowledge at the end of the Ancien Régime.

A MAJOR AUTHOR IN THE HISTORY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE

The title page expressly attributes the text to Claude Bourgelat, General Commissioner of the kingdom’s stud farms, Director and General Inspector of the Royal Veterinary Schools of France.

Claude Bourgelat (1712–1779) is a fundamental figure in the history of veterinary sciences. Founder of the veterinary school of Lyon in 1761, then of that of Alfort in 1765, he contributed to the creation of modern veterinary education.

Dated 1786, seven years after his death, this manuscript constitutes a testimony to the transmission of his work and his scientific concepts.

A DOCUMENT ON THE ROYAL STABLES UNDER LOUIS XVI

The manuscript develops numerous reflections on the organization and functioning of the kingdom’s stud farms.

The passages examined address in particular:

* The regulation of the stud farms and the responsibilities of the inspectors.
* The improvement of horse breeds.
* Reproduction and selection of horses.
* Breeding practices and care of the animals.
* Diet and physiological and veterinary knowledge.
* The relations between royal administration, owners, and the public interest.

The text bears witness to the economic, agricultural, and scientific concerns of the French monarchy in the years preceding the Revolution.

A SCIENTIFIC CONTENT PARTICULARLY INTERESTING

Page numbered 145 presents a section entitled:

“Do waters influence animals, and especially the horse, as do solid foods?”

This passage develops a reflection on the role of water in the animal organism, its influence on humors, digestion, nutrition, and the health of horses.

This approach illustrates the knowledge and scientific questions of XVIIIth-century veterinary medicine.

A REMARKABLE CALLIGRAPHY

The manuscript is distinguished by a particularly elegant, regular, and legible handwriting, done in brown ink.

The title page presents a beautiful calligraphic composition, with large ornate letters and a detailed attribution to Bourgelat.

The inner pages contain headings, divisions into articles, and an unusually careful presentation.

Old paper with visible wormholes, preserving the authentic character of an eighteenth-century manuscript.

CONDITION OF CONSERVATION

Old state in keeping with the age of the document.

Foxing, stains, browning, and edge wear. The old cover shows defects, fragile binding, and visible stitches.

The photographed pages retain good readability, with well-preserved ink.

HISTORICAL AND BIBLIOGRAPHICAL INTEREST

Manuscript particularly interesting for collectors of historical documents, hippology, veterinary medicine, the history of science, and French royal administration.

A piece dated 1786, associated with the name of Claude Bourgelat, founder figure of modern veterinary medicine.

Ancient handwritten document, not a printed copy. Attribution to Bourgelat on the title page, with no claim of autograph status.