[Establishment and development of the Code for Veterinarians in the Netherlands]

Veterinary medicine did not develop into a so-called 'liberal profession' based on scientific training, recognizable and functioning in the social system, until the early part of the past century. Far later than other medical professions. Rules of conduct governing the practice of this profession got going very slowly and consisted of unwritten rules which were enlarged and filled out in discussions among veterinarians, until the twenties of the present century. These rules were not regarded as a recognizable entity until the thirties and were published for the first time in 1940. Adjustments and improvements were introduced since then, which may be considered to have been associated with a specific period in retrospect. Precisely during the current period, the eighties, a growing interest (accompanied by critical evaluation) is perceptible, which among other things, is the immediate cause of reconsideration of the actions of veterinarians in particular. This recent stage also turns out to be a matter which is closely associated with the period.