Can dead animals talk? – No, not in the literal sense, of course, but it is possible to make statements about the nature of their death and their diseases by examining dead animals. Thousands of years ago, humans began to study dead animals and interpret the messages gained from them, drawing conclusions for oracles, for example.

The further development of veterinary pathology, on the other hand, only gained momentum in the 19th and 20th centuries. It became evident that many diseases affect both humans and animals in the same way, can be transmitted between them, and can be influenced by their shared environment.

Using the example of the development of veterinary pathology in Zurich, starting with the founding of the Veterinary School in 1820 to the present-day Vetsuisse Faculty at the University of Zurich, it is shown how we have learned to make dead animals "speak" in a scientific sense. The development of this subfield of veterinary medicine illustrates the necessary conditions and the infrastructure that has proven essential over time. Not least, it requires well-trained and dedicated individuals at all times. Their history and commitment are also addressed.