The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1883-04-21
ANIMALS AS DOCTORS.
Briii.h M,dicai Journal.


M. G.. Delaunay, in recent COM
municaiion TO the Biological Society,
observed that medicine, as practiced
by animals, is thoroughly empirical,
but that the same may be said of that
practiced by inferior human races, or
in other words, by the majority Of the
human species. Animals instinctively
choose such food as is best suited to
them. NJ. Delaunay maintains that the
human race also shows this instinct, and
blancS medical men for not paying
sufficient respect to the likes and dis
likes OF the patients, which he believes
to be guide that may be depended on.
Women are more often hungry than
men, and they do not like the same
kinds of food nevertheless, in asylums
for aged poor, men and women are put
on precisely the same regimen. Infants
scarcely weaned are given a diet suit
able to adults-meat and wine, which
they dislike, and which disagree with
them. NJ. Dclaunay investigated this
question in the different asylums Of
Paris. and aScertained that children do
not like meat before they are about five
years OF age. People who like salt,
vinegar, etc, ought to be allowed to
satisfy their tastes. Lorain always
taught that with regard to food peoples
likings are the best guide. 4 large
number Of animals wash themselves and
baihc, as elephants, stays, birds, and
ants. NJ. Delaunay lays down as
general rule that there is not any species
of animals which voluntarily runs the
risk Of inhaling cmanations arising from
their own cxcrement. II we turn our
attention to the question of reproduc-
ton, we shall see that all animals
sucklc their young, keep them clean,
wcan them at the proper time, and
educate them; but these maternal in
siincts are frequently rudimeniary in
women OF civilized nations. In fact.
man may take lesson in hygiene from
the lower animals. Animals get rid Of
their parasites by using dust, mud, clay,
etc. Those suffering from fever restrict
their diet, keep quiet, seek darkness
and airy places, drink water and some.
times even plunge into it. When dog
has lost its appetite, it eats that species
ofgrassknown as dog grass (+lieRftRI,)
which acts rs an emetic and purgative.
Cats also eat grass. Sheep and COWS,
when i'll, seek on; certain herbs. When
dogs are oonsiipated they eat fatty sub
stances, such as oil and butter, with
avidiiy, until they are purged The
same thing is observed in horses. An
animal suffering from chronic rheuma.
tsm always keeps, as far as possible, in
the sun. The warrior ants have regularly
organized ambulances. Lotreille cut
the antenne Of an ant, and other ants
came and covered the wounded par,
with 4 transparent fluid secreted from
their mouths. II 4 chimpanzee be
wounded, it stops the bleeding by
placing its hand on the wound or dress
ing il with leaves and grass. When an
animal has wounded leg or arm hang.
ing on, it completes the amputation by
means OF its teeth. a dog on being
s;ung in the muzzle by viper was
observed to plunge its head repeatedly
for several DAYS into running water
This animal eventually recovered. \
sporting dog was run overly carriage.
During three weeks in winter il remained
living in brook, where its food was
taken TO it the animal recovered. \
terrier dog hurt its righ, eye; il remain
cd lying under counter, avoiding
light and heat, although habi,ually il
KEEP; close 10 the fire. 1t adopted 4
general treatment, rest and abstinence
from food. The local treatment con
sisted in licking the upper surface OF
the paw, which it applied to the wound.
cd eye, again licking the paw when it
became dry. Cats also, when, hurt,
treat themselves by this simple method
OF continuous irrigation. NJ. Delaunay
cites the case of I cat which remained
for some time lying on the bank OF
river; also that OF another cat which
had the singular fortitude to remain for
for,y-eight hours under jet Of cold
water. Animals suffering from trau-
matte fever treat themselves by the con.
;inued application Of cold water, which
NJ. Delaunay considers TO be more
certain than any Of the other methods.
In view of these interesting facts, we
are. he thinks, forced 10 admit tha;
hygiene and therapeutics, as practiced
by animals. may, in the interests of
psychology. be studied with advantage.
lie could go even further and say that
veterinary medicine, and, perhaps. hu.
man medicine, could gather from them
some useful indications, precisely be-
cause they are prompted by instincts
which are efiicacious in the preservation
or the restoration Of health.