The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-24
"a HORSE DOCTOR
The Medical Attachments and Repu-
tatiOn of DR.. HuidekOper.

Philadelphia Times Qnd Dem)
We do not know whether the medical di-
rector at Chickamauga is justly criticised
or not for his administration of that great
camp, but 1t is worth while to say that those
officers who think they are casting oppro-
Drlum upon DR.. Hudekoper by calling MIN
morse doctor if they are not actuated
by malice, display an ignorance hardly par
donable in a military man.
That he is horse doctor is precisely
the thing that has given DR.. Huidekoper his
nigh professional diStinction-that is, that
he was practically the first man in America
to bring the authority of an educated physi-
clan of influential position to the study and
practice of veterinary medicine with the
well-defined purpose of elevating il above
the empiricism of the old-fashioned horse
doctor to recognized branch of medical
science.
The Importance of this service has been
recognized by all well-informed persons.
Or Huidekoper graduated in medicine at
the University of Pennsylvania and con-
tinued his studies abroad He was in
terested in horsemanshp and in military
affairs, and the neglect of veterinary med
1clne In this country was practically i'm
pressed upon him. as it had been upon
other military men and upon some wealthy
owners of horses in the neighborhood of
Philadelphia. With their encouragement
DR.. Huidekoper went abroad and spent
some years in the best veterinary schools
on the continent, taking his diploma from
that at Altdorf, and on his return became
the head of the department of veterinary
medicine established at the university the
nrSt IN America organized on broadly
scientific basis.
The influence of this work has extended
not only to the care of horses. but to the
treatment of the diseases of cattle and of
other domestic animals and to many i'm
portant branches of public sanitation and
hygiene DR.. Huidekoper was also prom
inent in the medical service of our Ma
tional Guard UP to the time of his re-
moval to New York.. where it is probable
that his veterinary practice has absorbed
most of his time. But the reason of his
n G
he had developed this speciality upon the
foundation of a broad medical education,
so that the title of 'shorSe doctor" is to
him a distinction and not a reproach.
Among all the civilians appointed to adj
vanced rank in the volunteer service there
was none whose experience and reputation
gave better assurance of fitness for military
responsibility. Whether any civilian should
have been put in charge of so great camp
as that at Chickamauga may be question
able. and whether DR.. Huidekoper has per-
formed his duties we'll or i'll we do not pre-
tend to know. But his services to an i'm
portant and previously neglected depart
ment of medical science have been of the
highest public Importance and those to
whom reference to such services appears
derogatory display. an ignorance that casts
doubt upon the value of their opinions
w. E. Curtis, in Chicago Record
No candidate for appointment showed
higher testimonials or better recommends
tions than Dr. Huidekoper. He. presented
his own case to the President and the adju-
tant general. and although he submitted
testimonials and letters of recommends ton
from some of the most prominent and infu-
entail men of this country his connection
with the National Guard of Pennsylvania
as chief surgeon had more weight with the
President than anything else Before de-
Gliding upon DR.. Huidekopers appointment,
or even taking it under serious considera-
ton. the President referred his papers to the
surgeon general for an investigation of his
professional character and standing, which
was reported by General Sternberg to be
perfectly satisfactory. At the same time he
reported upon DIR. Sem. Among Philadel-
pbia people DR.. Huidekoper is regarded as
a man of eminent scientific attachments, I'M
questionable integrity and wide benevolence.
His veterinary practice is considered as an
eccentricity.