Magic ancient, magic modern

Traditional veterinary practices in Africa are often closely associated with religious, magical and supernatural elements. The castration of animals requires lengthy and elaborate rituals and ceremonies. In an classic illustration of sympathetic magic, the Fulani treat animals bitten by scorpions with Heliotropium indicum because the blossoms of these plants resemble scorpion tails.

According to McCorkle and Mundy, these magical understandings often rest on sensible scientific thinking. For instance, herders avoid places where contagious diseases have broken out, blaming it on evil spirits in the area -- a sound strategy that avoids contagion.

Magico-religious practices often obscure the fact that the essential traditional practice may be for the animal but the rituals are often meant for the owner and are essential for the animal practitioner to secure his or her job. And talking of rituals, Western veterinary practices abound in them, as in wearing a white coat and carefully swabbing the dirty hairy skin of animals before administering an injection -- practices of doubtful beneficial value to the animal.