[Historical review of development of veterinary toxicology in Berlin from 1790-1945]

The main aspects of the development of veterinary toxicology from the time of foundation of the veterinary college in Berlin 1790 up to 1945 are being described. The first toxicological experiments were made in 1821. The teaching of veterinary toxicology in Berlin began in 1872 and the foundation of the Department of Pharmacology as a part of Small Animal Clinic was in 1886. The historical development may be divided in four periods. In the first, from 1821-1830, acute and chronical intoxications were examined. The second period, from 1831-1870, has been determined by experimental drug toxicology and the beginning of environmental toxicology. In 1935 were the foundation of an independent Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and in this time the toxicological research reached an internationally important level.