The story of Chilean Veterinary Medicine is long and has a history which makes it difficult to give a clear idea of the veterinary profession up to 1925. The veterinarian in the early history of Chile was exclusively a "Therapeut" or "quack," and his social position was very low. His position was partly justified due to his limited knowledge and the lack of recognition of the profession's social and economic importance. The general welfare of the country was such that it was uneconomical to care for the health of the cattle.