Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1882-12-29
Treatment of Sick Animals.


on our hands, and are quite liable to be
beyond the reach of veterinary assist
ance. We may or may not be fortunate
in consequences of the latter In the
best light that we have we conclude
that in the human family drugs kill
about as many as they cure, and we fail
TO see why the same is not true among
our domestic animals. The administra-
tion of harsh medicines is certainly not
to be encouraged. They come in con-
tact with very delicate membranes, and
if they do no harm, the result would be
entirely unexpected. In some respects,
too, our veterinary medicines are gen.
orally far behind the times 1t is pretty
generally concluded that mercury is not
fit for medicine. and not one in million
men or women will take it, if they know
it. But it enters into the composition
of many of our preparations for the
treatment of sick animals. 1t is applied
10 sores and we think frequently ad-
minstered internally. Now we do not
believe that any farmer or breeder loses
anything by being deprived of veter-
mary advice which would recommend
such medicines. But something must
be done if an animal is sick, it may be
said. That may or may not be true, so
far as administering medicines is con-
ce;ned. As rule, we have always
found that human beings get along very
well in cases of sickness, if they rest
and diet. Perhaps our animals would
often get along equally as well if given
the same treatment If horse or COW
is taken sick. it is wisdom to inquire at
once into all the circumstances, with
view of ascertaining, if possible, the
cause, immediate or remote. 1t may be
that the horse has been overworked,
and it may be that the horse or COW has
been overfed, or fed too long upon one
kind of food. The remedy in such
cases will suggest itself at once. Ma
ture has great recuperative powers, if
she is only given an opportunity TO
assert them. A few DAYS rest, or a
change of food. or diminished feed, will
often operate quickly in the case OF an
animal that shows signs of indisposition;
and dose of our often recommended
and harmless remedy, charcoal. will.
nine times out of ten, be all that is
needed in simple diseas es.
We shall save much suffering to our
animals and much trouble to ourselves
BY using the ounce of prevention instead
of the pound of cure at all times-lhat
is 10 say, use our very best Judgment
in not exposing the animal to the causes
of disease. We have frequently no.
ticed that in all weather during the win
ter season, some men will always blank
ct their horses when they are standing
on the road. Row except in very bitter
cold weather the horse does not need a
blanket. The blanket will sweat him,
and then when taken off exposes the
animal to the danger of taking cold.
This is simply an evidence of thought
less expense, and it is done, too, in the
name of kindness. But in case of sick
ness we shall save the animal distress
and ourselves trouble, too, by admins
tering some simple, old-fashioned rem
edy. rather than riding perhaps, miles
for veterinary surgeon. Take collie
for instance. Some men seem perfect
ly helpless in the presence of so simple q
thing rs collie in horse or other domes-
tic animal What would we do if we
were similarly afflicted We might do
many foolish things, among which the
swallowing of great dose of poisonous
drugs would take high rank. But if VIC
did the very best thing, as well as the
easiest, we should strive to excite per-
spiration. A physician who went
| through the last attack of cholera in
Chicago, informs us that he was con-
vinced that the only glimmer of hope in
cholera cases, was in plunging the pa
tient into hot water, and thus produce
| perspiration. In animals we have seen
1t work to q charm. Wrap the animal
up in blankets and throw it into pers-
pration, and it will likely come out al
right
We make these suggestions for the
purpose of calling attention to simple
remedies. We are apt to underrate
things because they are SO very simple.
In these days of multitude of doctors.
with their foreign nomenclature of med
icines, we are entirely too liable to con-
clude that the old herb tea which our
grandmothers made, and which, per-
haps, saved our lives more than once.
cannot possibly be good for anything.
Such notions are often very expensive
and quite foolish. = Western Rural.