APPENDIX. 

 Comparative Therapeutics. 



IN the foregoing researches into comparative pathology we have 

 found much that is common to man and animals, and also much 

 that is peculiar and specific for man. The further question now 

 arises whether the attempt to overcome these pathological con- 

 ditions by corresponding therapeutic measures is absolutely 

 peculiar to man, or whether, and if so to what extent, it may 

 also be observed among animals. In both cases we must dis- 

 tinguish between purely private and individual therapeutics, and 

 those measures which are social in character and extend to 

 others of the same species. 



The ancients do not appear to have entertained any doubt 

 as to the power of animals to help themselves. Evidence of 

 this is seen in the most fabulous tales recounted by Aristotle, 

 Pliny, Aelian, etc. According to Pliny, the hippopotamus 

 when it has overeaten itself and feels too plethoric, bleeds itself 

 by driving the sharp end of a broken pipe into a vein. The 

 Egyptian ibis, and the white stork so common in Germany are 

 said to use their beaks as enema tubes ; bears when their eyes 

 get weak allow the bees to sting them on the head ; swallows 

 use the seeds of the celandine to clear dimness of vision, and 

 does use the fennel-like plant Seseli libanotis to ensure easy 

 parturition ; ringdoves, fowls, blackbirds and partridges cure 

 the indigestion which recurs every year by means of bay leaves ; 

 pigeons and fowls also use the plant Helxine ; ducks and other 

 water birds syderis, and cranes marsh reeds, while bears employ 

 the juice of the arum as a laxative. 



Numerous examples of how animals cure themselves when 

 poisoned are quoted by the ancients. Thus bears who have 

 swallowed mandrake, eat ants as an antidote ; panthers poisoned 

 by an arrow swallow human excrement, and tortoises when 



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