WHAT TO DO BEFORE THE VETERINARY SURGEON 

 COMES. 



Those who own or have much to do with animals of various 

 kinds, know only too well at times how seriously accidents or dis- 

 ease may diminish the value of these, and cause much incon- 

 venience ; and this loss and inconvenience are all the greater in 

 proportion to the worth of these creatures, either as food producers, 

 servants, companions, or pets. For the treatment of casualties and 

 maladies, when they are at all of a grave kind, the services of the 

 veterinary surgeon are necessary, if permanent impairment, pro- 

 tracted recovery, or even death, is to be averted. With the great 

 advance which has been made of late years in veterinary medicine 

 and surgery, owners of animals have benefited to a corresponding 

 extent, while the animals themselves have had their sufferings 

 abridged and diminished very considerably. 



But it is obvious that accidents may occur, or diseases that run 

 their course very rapidly may set in, which demand immediate at- 

 tention to prevent serious or irreparable consequences ; and as 

 veterinary aid may not be immediately forthcoming, in the interests 

 of humanity, not less than in their own, the owners of animals 

 should not be altogether ignorant of what is necessary to be done 

 in such emergencies. But while insisting upon their possessing 

 suflScient knowledge to enable them to give such assistance as may 

 for the time being obviate danger, we are far from advising them 

 to dispense with the skill and advice of a competent veterinary sur- 

 geon whenever the case appears to demand his services. Of course, 

 it is difficult to say when these services may or may not be neces- 

 sary, as what might seem a very trivial accident or ailment may 

 prove to be of the gravest kind. It is, therefore, advisable in 

 accident or disease, after rendering all the help the amateur is 

 capable of, to consult the veterinary surgeon in good time, and not 

 delay until it is too late and his knowledge unavailing. Great 

 numbers of valuable animals are annually lost, not only through 

 the carelessness or ignorance of their owners or attendants, but also 

 through unjustifiable delay in sending for the veterinary surgeon, 

 or dispensing with his services altogether from motives of economy. 

 More especially is this the case with regard to such creatures as the 



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