The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1885-05-26
HIS OWN VETERINARIAN.
every Farmer Should Qualify Himself to
Doctor His Animals When They are HI.


every Farmer Should Qualify Himself to
Doctor His Animals When They are Hi.
There are many situations in which
the farmer finds himself, where it
would be greatly to his benefit if he
could act at once, and wisely. AS the
owner of stock, especially, is his sa-
gacity and self-pOsSession liable to be
severely tried, in the various emergen-
cies which may arise among his own
herds, and those of his neighbors. How
is he to acquire this necessary Informal
ton, and prepare himself to meet these
unexpected occurrences? Perhaps
he may have had the opportunity of
witnessing the actions of others in SIM
liar circumstances, and if he is a man
of observation, he has stored away the
information thus acquired. and will
bring it out whenever the occasion pre-
sents itself. Possibly his own dearly
bought experience may have prepared
him for prompt decision in these mat
tiers. If he is man of fair education,
he has profited by the perusal of many
excellent papers on veterinary sub
jects which are offered in our best agri-
cultural journals. OF course it is to
the press that the great body of our
farmers must look for this desired in
formation, but how happy would it be
for them if they could enjoy the add
vantages of instruction in agricultural
zoology. Ii is lamentable that more
stress is not laid upon the necessity of
difiiusing this knowledge by our agri-
cultural colleges, not only among their
own students, but also the farmers in
their vicinity. To the young men, who
intend to become large stock raisers,
or TO have extensive dairies. and even
to those who are already established, a
course of lectures upon the anatomy
and functions of the digestive, gener-
alive, and tactical organs, of
the structure of the limbs, eyes,
etc, and especially of the horses foot,
would be most admirable and accept
able, especially if with this knowledge
was combined practical illustration of
how to act under various circumstan-
ces and in emergencies. How little is
known of the wonderful formation of
the foot of the horse. What fortunes
and unnecessary suffering would be
spared the animal If correct ideas,
based upon the anatomy of the organ,
could be spread among the owners in
preparation of the foot for the shoe.
and in the treatment of its diseases!
Then again. such lectures should in
form the hearers. as to- the action and
the proper administration of medicines
upon the domestic animals knowl-
edge of great Importance, which very
few possess. We little think of the
amount of ignorance which prevails on
this one point, and how much useless
pain is thereby caused. Under the
diffusion of correct knowledge, vast
army of cruel and injurious supersti-
tons would be put TO flight. Fewer
hapleSS cows would lose their caudal
extremities under the plea that some
visionary malady would thereby be re-
moved. Important appendages to the
saliyary SecretionS, or the organ of
sight, would not be barbarouSly cut
away as parasites. NoxiOus ingred-
tents would no longer be rubbed on
the noses and between the horns of
mich cows. to prevent the garget, nor
would highly caustic and stimulating
substances be introduced into fresh
wounds. The farmer would also be
better prepared to defend himself
against the host of ignorant charlatans,
who come down upon him with their
useless noStrums. warranted TO cure
every malady which has appeared or
may come among his animals. Until
the happy time arrives. when educa-
ton shall take the place of ignorance,
the intelligent farmer must depend
upon such resources Is he has at hand in
the hour of need. being careful to err
only on the side of moderation
american AgricUltUriSt.