Prof. Santini was a veterinarian in Scandicci (near Florence). In the preface of his book he writes: "Not long ago the famous publishing house Vallardi asked me if I wanted to write a book on cattle breeding, which was going to be part of the Agrarian Encyclopedia. Confiding in my strenght I said yes, but as soon as I started writing it, I realised all the difficulties I had to overcome [...]". The publishing house insisted and he finished the book.