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, DR. MARTIN F. KENT Dr. Martin F.Kent, Well Known Veterinarian, Dies Represented Racing Board at Chicago Tracks From 1941-52 Dr. Martin Francis Kent, former veterinarian for the Illinois Racing Board and a practising veterinarian in this area for several years, died Wednesday afternoon of a heart attack. Dr. Kent, who was 55 years old, served as state veterinarian from 1941 through 1952 and the last two years also was a steward at Sunshine Park in Olds-mar, Fla. Although his health the past few years had not been too good, Dr. Kents passing was sudden. He was at his veterinary office Wednesday morning and returned to his apartment at the Lincoln Park West Hotel for lunch. He complained of feeling ill to Mrs. Kent and then died a few minutes later. Dr. Kent was a horseman as well as a veterinarian and owned and raced horses in his own silks before becoming an official. Years ago he, likewise, was active in politics on the South Side and later when he moved north. The body was removed to the Sullivan funeral home at 245 W. North Ave. Funeral arrangements had not been made at a late hour Wednesday. Dr. Kent was a native Chicagoan and was a graduate of the McKillop Veterinary College. As an officer in World War I, he was in charge of transporting horses over-Contkiued on Page Forty-Six Dr. Martin F. Kent, Well Known Veterinarian, Dies Represented Racing Board at , Ch icago Tracks From 1941-52 Continued from Page One seas for the cavalry and he always maintained that the war couldnt have been won without them. At the wars end, Dr. Kent was employed at the Union Stockyards here in Chicago and later worked on various ranches in th West. Upon his return here, he founded the M. F. Kent Veterinary Hospital, which he maintained since. For years, he alsd served as State Agent for the Department of Agriculture and one of the most fas cinating posts he held was that of veterina rian for the Lincoln Park Zoo, where ht treated most of the animals there and seven snakes. One - of the highlights of Dr. Kents veterinary career was his treatment of the handicap performer, Historian. He wa called in when the Woolford Farm campaigner became dull and listless while run ning in cheap claiming races. Kent diagnosed the ailment as a type of blood poisoning of the head and decided to use the then new miracle drug, penicillin, on him. Kent said he believed it was the first time that the drug was ever used on a race horse. The results were astonishing, and Historian, went on to beat Armed in the Arlington Handicap and later equaled Man o Wars record of 2:40 for a mile and five eighths in winning the Sunset Handicap at Hollywood Park. While serving as state veterinarian in Illinois, Dr. Kent set up a system whereby certain stalls were set aside for the state and there horses were put aside for the taking of urine tests. He attended the sessions of the National Association of State 1 Racing Commissioners during the time he was an official of the racing board and his advice and counsel were often sought by the commissioners. HAZEL PARK, Mich., Aug. 26. Horsemen, officials and members of the press andt the local course were grieved to learn of the death of Dr. Martin F. Kent, widely known veterinarian and racing .official, who passed away at his Chicago home to-, day.
