The Washington herald., 1909-02-16


health and care OF animals as TO man.
Animals are properly housed in sani-
tary manner. They are being treateS
with more consideration than ever be-
/ fore. When taken sick they are doc
tored by veterinarians as skilled In their
profession as are the physicians who
deal with human diseases. Perhaps the
most striking proof OF the Increased con-
sideration man Is giving to his four
footed friends Is found In the existence
Of animal hospitals.
There are said to be score or more
OF these institutions scattered through
out the United States, but located princi-
pany in the large cities. This does not
take into account the hospitals attached
TO the geological gardens. where men.
women. and children obtain amusement
and instruction BY observing the beasts.
The animal hospitals are as well equip
ped as are similar institutions which ad-
minister only to suffering mankind.
The first hospital for animals or this
continent Is said 20 have been established
in New York City, bat Toronto. Canada.
contests the claim Whichever may be
entitled TO the honor, nobody VIII deny
that those OF both New York and Toron-
TO- ss well as animal hospitals else
where. are doing a great deaI of good.
The records OF an animal hospital in
| large city are fun OF human as well as
animal interest They show how the elite
among the quadruped and feathered deni-
-sa
from the Jaws Of death At Washing
ton hospital for animals, for instance.
Pete. the White House bulldog. who
made himself famous by tearing a piece
from the aristocratic trousers Of the
French Ambassador, has been a frequent
patient Pete's penchant Tor Quarreling
has necessitated his being patched up re-
peatedly by the animal doctor. Archie
Roosevelt was a frequent caller az the
institution 20 see how his four-footed
chum was cOnvalescing. The animal doc
TOT has had fewer busy days since Pete
and the other White House dogs were
banished 70 oyster Bay
Probably the most distinguished patient
ever treated at an animal hospital In the
United States IS the famous Manchu
spaniel presented By the late Empress of
China 90 Mrs. Alice ROOseveIt-LOnEwOrJh
upon the occasion of her visit 70 Pekin
with President-elect Taft's party several
wears ago. This dog OF Chinese royalty
has a pedigree 200 years old When Il
fell III not long ago Mrs LOngworth hur-
ried il of to the animal hospital. where
It's health was soon restored. PeaTy's
dog. which had gone farthest north.
broke his leg sfter returning to civili-
zstion and had TO be doctored In New
York.
The number Of cases originating IN the
households or the diplomatic corps Is so
great that the Washington animal hos
pltai referred tc keeps a French inter
prefer on its star 20 carry on its busi-
ness with the ambassadorial pets and
their masters Among the celebrated pa
tents Of the Washington animal hospital
have been dogs belonging 10 admiral
Dewey. Countess CassinI. Sir Mortimer
Durand. the former British Ambassador,
and other distinguished people.
A well-equipped animal hospital has
several wards There Is one ward for
animals afflicted with contagious dis
eases. another ward is for those con-
valescing from an Illness or an opera
ton In hospitals which treat both large
and small animals each class Is usually
kept separate from the ether There are
separate operating rooms Tor these In
one there are block and tackle arrange
ments which are capable OF lifting a
horse or 4 COW OF the floor and holding
the animal still while 10 Is being operated
on or otherwise treated The operating
room for small animals is lined with tile
Ike the operating room OF well-equip-
ped human hospital There is an operat-
ing table and the room is vel furnished
with surgical instruments and sanitary
apparatus.
Disinfectants. antlseptlcs. and anaesthet-
les are freely used in animal hospitals
Some years ago ether. chlorofrOm. and
chlorsl were the fsvorite anaesthetics. but
now the tendency In The veterinary pro-
fession. as in surgery. Is to use cocaine
locally in preference 10 the general anaes-
thetics. Legs are set in plaster casts
wounds are dressed. and internal all
ments OF animals treated. When the pa
tents are improving IN health they are
transferred to light, clean quarters. Some
institutions have summer and winter
quarters for the patients. The animal
hospitals are lighted by electricity. and
the floors are OF cement. the ideal sani-
the society lady's pet poodle and the
spinster's tabby cat take their daily
plunge.
Usually a good course Of treatment
restores the animals health. but should
1t fail 20 respond to the ministrations OF
the veterinary and the nurses a suitable
place is provided for the patient TO pass
the remainder Of its days in peace and
contentment Or. II the owner prefers.
the animal Is sent into q sleep that
knows no waking. where Il can dream Of
eternal cozy corners. Of llmitless green
fields. according TO its nature. Some
veterinarians treat only horses. cows.
and similar animals. Other persons. /
principally those who keep bird and pet
animal stores make q speciality Of treat
ing small pets. The weil-equipped yeteri- |
marian end animal hospital, however, will
take and handle the case Of an elephant
OF q canary bird with equal facility.
Nearly every veIl-condUcted zoo has q
hospital for wild animals attached. The
first OF these was established at New
York The Philadelphia zoo has a pathO-
logical laboratory costing Sl1,0O0. The
work performed in these wild animal hos
pitalS Is wonderful Recently an enOr-
nous rhinoceros. after being given quar-
titles OF anaesthetic. had a cataract cut
from its eve. Other interesting opera
tions that have been performed in zoo
hospitals are the removal OF an sbscess
form an ostrich's head. the Iancing Of a
canker in a boa constructors mouth. the
treatment OF an Ourang Outang for tu-
bereulosis by hypodernic injections after
Inns hoE cd u~1f h1-
scope, and the removal OF three-pcund !
tumor from the cheek OF grizzly bear. /
The elephant is very amenabie TO hos |
pitel treatment Several years ago an !