Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1881-12-02
Sick Animals.

At is remarkable fact that in state
of Nature we seldom see sick animal.
OF course, when beast or bird be-
comes little weak, it is an easy prey
to carnivorous animals that are always
on the lookout for chances, and this
will keep down the number of sick sub.
jects that would otherwise come before
us. But it is not likely that it would
keep down all, and allowing, therefore,
for this possibility of an early taking
off of weak subject, we should still
see some and certainly many more than
we do. We think it is tolerably Ger.
tain that when in a state of Nature
not near as many diseases fol-
low an animal, as when it is under
domestic care.
1t is quite probable that there is
much more in the popular phrase about
killing things with kindness than we
imagine. Not that we should be harsh
or unfeeling, but we do many things
under the feeling of care that are un-
necessary, and even injurious to do.
We do things for some certain reason,
and then continue the practice from
habit without any reason at all. Take,
for instance, the way in which brood
of young chickens are treated. 1t is
quite likely that if there is long grass
about or tall weeds, the young may
be dragged through by a thought
less hen til, the little chickens are
tired out, or perhaps lost. To guard
against this, the hen is put into COOP
as soon as the chickens are Matched till
they are strong enough to follow pretty
well wherever she may lead them.
This being usually the case on farms.
the practice became rather common, till
every one thinks young brood with
the mother must be cooped up. Those
who refuse or neglect to follow this
practice would be thought to be very
green sort of people. No one ever
thinks to ask why they do this. Only
it is the practice and il is done.
But the experience of large numbers
prove that many young chicks are lost
every year by the most attentive PAINS
taking. 1t is not too much to say that
not one-half and this is good aver
age ever live to grow to maturity. On
the other hand. how rarely is it that a
hen who steals her nest" fails to
bring up nearly or quite the whole lot?
The fact is, that tho young getting
through the coop and hearing the moth
rendered nervous and subject to diseases
to far greater extent than they would
be If entirely trusted TO the hens own
care. In fact, physical exercise and
cheerfulness are as essential to health in
the animal as they are to the human
race.
How the lack of these things operates
injuriously on animal life, is shown by
the experience with animals in ZOO
logical gardens and menageries. II
they are taken at mature age and
placed in confinement, they are nearly
sure to die, as everybody knows who
has endeavored to bring upin this way 1
captive rabbit orbird. He has to tax,
thcm very young to succeed. Ever
when taken young they are subject t.
, diseases, no matter how careful the,
! may be handled, from which in Nature
they are free. Consumption espociall.
, is very disastrous, large numbers dyint
, annually from this one disease alone
The want of exercise of kind suited u
their wild nature, and what is b
them the cheerful surroundings OF thei
: native homes, makes all the difference
s We may learn valuable lessons In tn
/ treatment OF our domestic animal
: from these considerations. Our car
may not always be kindness. Animal
require recreation as we'll as the rest @
, us. and are better able to take care G
themselves than we think for. =sGe,
I mantown Telegraph,