Med. Weter. 82 (7), 342-351, 2026
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| SŁAWOMIR GONKOWSKI, PAULINA RYZA, KINGA ROSŁOŃ |
| Magic, witchcraft, and superstitions in animal healing in the Polish lands from the 16th to the 20th century |
| Magical practices, witchcraft, and superstitions have been part of animal treatment for centuries. In ancient times, people who did not understand the mechanisms of animal diseases often turned to therapeutic methods rooted in supernatural forces. Similarly, various types of magic-based methods were frequently employed in animal treatment in Polish territories. This paper provides a review of selected Polish-language veterinary literature published between the 16th and the early 20th centuries, focusing on animal treatment methods based on magic, sorcery, and superstition. |
| Keywords: history of Polish veterinary, old therapeutic methods, magic, folk veterinary |