VETERINARSKI ARHIV 68 (4), 126, 1998

BOOK REVIEW

ISSN 0372-5480
Printed in Croatia

DE LANGE, KARIN (Ed.): Eurovet Guide. A Guide to Veterinary Europe 1998-1999. 2^nd edition. Les Éditions du Point Vétérinaire. Maisons-Alfort. 1998. 680 pages. 21×15 cm. Soft cover. ISBN 2-86326-141-X. Price: 310.00 FFr.

This second, completely updated edition of the Eurovet Guide contains more than 6,000 names and addresses. Some 560 veterinary professional and specialist associations (over 40 disciplines) from many parts of Europe (Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Yugoslavia) - but not including Andorra, Azerbaidjan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Russia, San Marino, Turkey, the Ukraine, and The Vatican City State - are presented, together with their current board members and contact addresses. The Eurovet Guide 1998-1999 also provides an overview of contemporary specialisation in the various countries and on an European level. The book also presents Europe's 76 schools of veterinary medicine, each with full details, including the name, phone and fax numbers and e-mail addresses of almost every head of department, as well as those of the Dean, Librarian, Student and Exchange representatives. Detailed information on the veterinary structure of the European Union is also presented, as well as on Erasmus exchanges and the administrative requirements for registration as a veterinary surgeon in other European countries. General data and statistical information on the listed European countries are presented, together with the most recent veterinary and livestock statistics, followed by a brief presentation on the current situation with regard to the profession. Addresses of State veterinary services and major research institutes are also given, as well as the names, functions and contact numbers of scientific staff, while the main veterinary journals published in each country are also listed. Suppliers to the veterinary profession on a Europe-wide basis (pharmaceutical and pet food companies, diagnostic laboratories, veterinary instruments, etc.) are listed in the "yellow pages" section. More than 40 referral clinics throughout Europe are also listed, on a strictly voluntary basis, showing their specialities, equipment, and languages spoken. Finally, there are more than 40 pages of an events diary announcing around 170 dates of forthcoming events, courses and congresses of European importance, while an illustrated section dealing with veterinary history provides an insight into European veterinary heritage, and which lists associations and museums within Europe whose activities are devoted to this subject.

The 1998-1999 Eurovet Guide contains certain erroneous information, some deficiencies and outdated data. It also makes an incredible and thoroughly insulting error in the data it provides on Croatia. On page 427, where general information for Croatia is given, it states that the language of the country is Serbian! In the war that Serbia (i.e., Yugoslavia) launched in 1990 on the then unarmed Croatia, Serbian occupiers committed an untold number of horrendous war crimes. They murdered over 20,000 people (including children, women, old people, prisoners of war, hospital patients and soldiers). They destroyed many towns and villages (where hospitals, schools, libraries and nature reserves were specifically targeted). They laid waste a large part of the priceless historical and natural heritage of our nation (more than 400 churches were either razed to the ground or suffered very serious damage). They plundered and transported to Serbia and to Montenegro incalculable amounts of the industrial and cultural wealth of Croatia (including the best heads of cattle, in particular the breeding stock of the famous Lippizaner breed from the Lipik stables). They occupied about one-third of the territory of the Republic of Croatia. And even today, despite the fact that Croatia succeeded in defending herself and in liberating her lands, unaided (and in fact against the wishes of the international community), ultimately emerging as the victor in the War of Independence, the Eurovet Guide 1998-1999 publishes such blatant misinformation, so deeply insulting to Croats. It is the same as if somebody in Europe, in the period from 1945 to 1950, following the occupation of France by Nazi Germany, after the courageous struggle by the French Maquis and the subsequent liberation of France by the Allies, were to say that the language of France was German. Needless to say, if the Serbian war of aggression had succeeded and had resulted in the planned permanent occupation of Croatia by Serbia, the language of our country would indeed have been Serbian.

However, despite this, which should be corrected in the next edition, the book is an excellent compendium of information, facts, names, addresses and contact numbers relating to the veterinary profession in Europe. The Eurovet Guide 1998-1999 is an extremely useful and valuable publication for all veterinarians and veterinary students, as well as institutional and educational libraries.

Hrvoje Gomercic