Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-06-08
for the farmer.
The best Medicine for Stock.

The question i. very frequently asked,
What shall do for my cow?' or My
colt is sick-can you tell ME what to give
him?" These inquiries are sometimes ac-
companicd by descriptions which would
enable veterinary surgeon, or one acquain
ted with diseases of animals, to form an
opinion as to the nature of the disease. 1t
is often that no account of the symptoms Is
given, and very frequently the owher Is una
BILE to give one.
Many farmers have certain specific rem
edies which they administer III all cases,
without regard to the nature of the difficult
ty. In some instances they may be useful,
in others they are of no benefit, and not un-
frequently they do much harm. These
remedies are very numerous, almost every
one having some favorite dose which his
father used before him, and which is believ-
ed to be cure for all manner of complaints.
There is another class, who depend entirely
en- what their neighbors recommend and
who pour everything down the poor beast s
throat that anybody advises. We have in
ran, il thos halcyon days when wool was
81 pound IN the farmers garret, and 81
900 was considered small sum to represent
the value Of such an animal; the poor crea-
ture, with constitution enfeebled by an ex-
cessively heavy fleece, and superabundant
deposit of yolk, broke down under the strain
of unnatural and stimulating food and ex-
cessive service. The owner, who had refus-
ei an offer of So, 500 for him was in dismay,
and knowing nothing about treating stock
animals, asked the opinion of every one,
and followed the advice of all. Through
wort, squills, turpentine, castor oil, decocton
OF tobacco, pain killer. camphor, rum, laud-
anum and dozen other drugs followed each
o.hef in rapid accession, until the stomach
that needed rest, was filed with fermen-
ting mas. of matter that would have burned
apassage through the sides of a shark. Of
and no fancy sketch, and although it is an
extreme case, it is just as rational as much
of the treatment received by sick animals.
1t is not strange that farmers do not un-
derstand doctoring cattle. They have TOO
much to do to study the subject Veteri-
nary surgeons are so few that it is not pos
sible to procure their assistance in many
cases, and the common Cow -doctors,' or
''farriers," as they style themselves, are
usually too ignorant to be accused of quack-
cry. As general thing, sick animals live
or die, as nature helps them or not The
far TO
tor, and ..obtain valuable information after
his best cow has gone to her rest in the
compost heap.
There is one remedy which is suited a.
like to all diseases all animals, and to eve
ry climate, and never fails 1t costs moth
Ing-less than nothing, for the improved
condition of the stock in consequence of
this magical, all-healing balm being kept
on hand, is worth many dollars, and every
farmer may have it. 1t is Prevention.
With proper care and suitable feeding, that
attention which it pays to give to stock,
ninety nine per cent. of the cases of sick
ness would not occur. This is strong Ian
guage, but is true. There is no need of
having sickness among domestic animals.
Sickness is the result of violation of the
laws of nature The domestic animals are
IN the absolute control of their owners. If
they are sick it is the fault of the owner, A
creature that will not thrive and perform
all its natural functions and duties and
maintain good care Of is afflicted with some
constitutional weakness or disease, and
should be disposed of to make room for one
that is sound. Vermont Farmer.