Scholarly Journal for Veterinarians Publishes Article about Teddy Bears

(Photo: Philbin 'Stache Bear now on sale at the NeatoShop)

For its April Fools’ Day issue in 1972, the scholarly journal Veterinary Record published an article describing the discovery of a new species of bear. The authors, D.K. Blackmore, D.G. Owen and C.M. Young, named the species Brunus edwardii. They had discovered and studied 1,598 examples of this species in Europe and North America, where the bears were commonly kept in human homes. Futility Closet provides this abstract:

Commonly-found syndromes included coagulation and clumping of stuffing, resulting in conditions similar to those described as bumble foot and ventral (rupture in the pig and cow respectively) alopecia, and ocular conditions which varied from mild squint to intermittent nystagmus and luxation of the eyeball. Micropthalmus and macropthalmus were frequently recorded in animals which had received unsuitable ocular prostheses.

They found that diseases could be either traumatic or emotional. Acute traumatic conditions were characterized by loss of appendages, often the result of disputed ownership, and emotional disturbances seemed to be related to neglect. “Few adults (except perhaps the present authors) have any real affection for the species,” and as children mature, they tend to relegate these animals to an attic or cupboard, “where severe emotional disturbances develop.”

The authors urged their colleagues to take a greater interest in the clinical problems of the species. “It is hoped that this contribution will make the profession aware of its responsibilities, and it is suggested that veterinary students be given appropriate instruction and that postgraduate courses be established without delay.”

-via American Digest