IV 

 DISEASES AND REMEDIES 



THERE is a tradition that cats have nine lives, but many a 

 breeder of Persians will agree with me that the diseases to 

 which these highly bred cats may quickly succumb are more 

 than nine in number ! I do not intend to enter fully into 

 these ailments in this chapter, as I have given a number of 

 hints in the paragraphs, and have also appended a list of 

 simple remedies for the usual diseases that pussy's flesh is 

 heir to. I think the mistake in many of our cat manuals is 

 the too technical nature of the prescriptions. Then again, 

 many of the ingredients mentioned cannot be procured by 

 an ordinary mortal without a doctor's order. I have tried, 

 therefore, to suggest only the very simplest remedies, many 

 of which are generally available in every household, and 

 ought certainly to be within reach of every cat fancier. The 

 preparations of Mr. Ward and Salvo that I have recom- 

 mended I have had practical proof of as to their excellence in 

 cases coming under my own notice. Mr. Ward may rightly 

 be considered the wizard of the north, for he was the pioneer 

 of " practical pussyology " apart from the regular qualified 

 veterinary who may look with a kind and pitying eye on 

 cats' ailments and infirmities, but yet who is just a little 

 superior to the treatment of these too often despised animals. 

 Salvo came as a boon and a blessing into our southern dis- 

 tricts, and I am sure there are many cat fanciers who can 

 testify to the kind and clever way in which he has attended to 

 and prescribed for their sick pussies. To him I am indebted 

 for some valuable hints and useful prescriptions. Mr. Freeman 



