Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-12-23
agricultural.
Indicating, Animals.

Some OF our domestic animals are removed
almost rs far from a state of nature as we
ere ourselves. Subjected to the influences of
civilization, they are made liable to accidents
and diseases which would never trouble them
but Tor their association with man IN his I'M
natural life. We may shield our animals
from many ailments, by attending to their d.
ct, the cleanliness of their guar tiers, to the
purity of the air they breathe, To proper shoe
ing yOking, and Harvesting, etc, but never
theless they will occasionally become diseased,
or injured, and need medical or surgical care.
We are badly of for veterinary surgeons in
this country, and in ninety-nine eases out of
an hundred the owner must do something for
his sick animal, or stand by and helplessly
watch the progress of the disease. y physi-
clan of large practice and experience told the
writer not long since. in deprecating the habit
of people drugging themselves, and applying
to apothecaries and physicians for medicine,
not being satisfied unless medicine be given,
that at times he felt almost as if it would b
a blessing to humanity if all taking of drugs
could cease, end both patients and physicians
would be forced to prove t7e efficacy Of good
nursing and attention t, Diet L the general
sanitary condition Of the system. Another
physician Of great and good repute in New
York City remarked if he could have his
choice of hospitals in which to treat 100 pa
tients sick with the usual diseases, and could
get n dry, sunny field, protected by a wood,
and have canvas fer shelter, he would much
prefer the latter place, and felt confident he
would report n much larger proportion of
cures. If these are facts with relation to the
human being. how much more important
must it be for animals not to be iniudiciously
drugged. and confined indoors? Every far
mer ought TO know how to recognize early
symptoms of disease or dis0rdered function
in his animals, and be able 70 apply simple
remedies. The bsst class of remedies are
such changes Of diet as will produce the de
sired effects. For instance, raw roots VIII
produce l00scness Of the bowels, and allay
feverish tendencies in hOrs 6. cattle, sheep, and
swine. SO VIII fresh grass cut and fed with
the dew on. Boiled fine wheaton four por-
ridge made with water for horses, that viii
not take milk, and with sweet milk for other
animals, will produce the opposite effect.
Other sanitary effects may be produced by the
ase ofarticles Of food. And we have no doubt
with care the list of effects produced By diff
fcrent kinds and mixtures Of articles used az
food might he greatly extended, go that most
ordinary ailments might be checked by early
attention to diet and surroundings. In our
own experience We have found that sick horses
turned out into a woody pasture almost al
ways got well, or improved greatly that
cows and young cattle let alone on a natural
diet, with fresh water, air and salt, did bet
ter and got well quicker than if subjected tC
any guess work treatment. However, 4 gooC
dose of EPSON salts and ginger seems 90 b
almost Z specific for fcverishness, e. horr
ail.') constipation, colds, clotty or red milk
etc. with cows, and it is well TO hold this il
reserve, in case a change Of diet has no gooC
effect Sick chickens get well in a grassy rur
among angle worms and grasshoppers. Sheer
that are shutting and running down in clos,
barn-yards viii pick up wonderfully if the
can get their noses into the hedge rows, O
nave a run in tho woods or bush pastures
In the variety Of heritage and twigs they fnO
the best diet. Piniug hogs viii get well in
clover pasture, or on clover hay in winter
And they will improve much faster if the,
can live on nuts and roofs, having the abilit,
to use their shouts Is was intended.