1860. 



NEW ENGLAND FARIVIEE. 



457 



For the New England Farmer, 



DOCTomisra domestic animals. 



Mr. Editor : — I have noticed in the Farmer 

 that its editor, in advising for the treatment of 

 sick animals, goes in for what I will call "The 

 progressive treatment." We will put no "pathy" 

 to it. This is as it should be, and in accordance 

 with reason and common sense, as I understand 

 the matter. EveiT farmer who has stock of any 

 kind, will sometimes have them sick. Sickness 

 and death are written on every living thing. The 

 farmer can often save himself much trouble, and 

 sometimes expense, by the timely use of a few 

 simple remedies, combined with a little knowl- 

 edge. A little knowledge is not always a dan- 

 gerous thing. My wonder is that there are not 

 more sick animals, when we see the shameful 

 manner in which many persons treat their dumb 

 beasts. As I have seen this, I have thought the 

 beast knew the most of the two, and if let alone, 

 would be the better off. For some years past I 

 have paid much attention to the diseases incident 

 to our domestic animals. The subject is some- 

 what a difficult one, and it is often no easy mat- 

 ter to make out a correct diagnosis of what the 

 real disease is ; but I have found this more par- 

 ticularly the case in regard to the hog ; and after 

 being satisfied on this point, it is still more difficult 

 to administer the remedies', from his "hoggish na- 

 ture and his dirty home." We must judge of the 

 diseases of animals as we do those of children — 

 from the history of the case, and the symptoms 

 present. Still I have found it much easier to sat- 

 isfy myself as to the diseases of cattle than hogs ; 

 however, experience and close observation will 

 enable us to come to pretty correct conclusions. 



In my treatment of sick animals, I have always 

 acted on the principle that what would be good 

 for man, under like circumstances, would be for 

 the animal, and I have never had occasion to feel 

 dissatisfied with this course. The greatest "pud- 

 ding head" out thinks himself qualified to pre- 

 scribe for a sick animal, judging from what I fre- 

 quently see ; whereas, to treat them properly, re- 

 quires long and close study, combined with obser- 

 vation among the sick, and a correct knowledge 

 of their anatomical structure, though this is not 

 absolutely necessary ; but the former are ; and I, 

 and every farmer should rejoice that veterinary 

 science is taking its proper place among the pro- 

 fessions. We need ten, where now we have one, 

 skilled in this branch of study ; and I do not 

 doubt, if we now had them, they would find it a 

 paying business if they were properly located 

 about the country. Here is a fine field open to 

 our young men, who have a taste this way ; one 

 eve' y way worthy of the highest order of talent ; 

 W. o leads ? 



llefore closing this article, I will mention a few 

 remedies, which every one having a cow or a horse, 

 will do well to have always on hand ; they are the 

 leading medicines for cure in most diseases, par- 

 ticularly of an acute character. The really skill- 

 ful physician makes but little use of the materia 

 medica ; his remedies are few, and not compli- 

 cated. 



First, Aconite tincture stands at the head of the 

 list. In all cases of fever and inflammation this 

 medicine is useful, and I have never found any- 

 thing yet that would take its place. Rivera of 



blood have been saved to mankind by its use, and 

 mayyetbe to cattle-kind. It is always safe. Dose: 

 Put a teaspoonful of the tincture into a pint of 

 soft pure water, and give a wineglass full once in 

 four to eight hours ; more frequently if the case 

 is urgent. 



Second, Arnica tincture must be placed in the 

 first class of remedies ; though this is better 

 adapted to use externally than internally. In all 

 cases of strains, injuries, bruises, soreness, lame- 

 ness arising from any of the foregoing causes, 

 and the like, there is no other thing which will 

 compare with it. If any one doubt this, try it ; 

 that will settle the matter. It may be given in- 

 ternally, the same as aconite, in cases of severe 

 injury. For external use, put three teaspoonfuls 

 into a quart of soft water, and bathe the parts 

 affected frequently. In the case of horses, where 

 the legs are the part affected, I have often ban- 

 daged them, and keep wet with the medicated wa- 

 ter, and rapidly reduced severe swellings. 



Third, Bryonia tincture is another important 

 remedy, and in connection with numbers one and 

 two, about all that are necessary for the treat- 

 ment of any acute case of disease the farmer may 

 have to deal with among his domestic family. It 

 may be prepared the same as number one, and 

 given the same. 



Case : Called to a fine young horse, which the 

 night before had been driven seven miles at full 

 speed, and left for two hours in a profuse perspi- 

 ration, standing in a damp, chilly night air. The 

 horse refused to eat, was dull, and quite stiff; his 

 pulse quick, strong and full; skin hot and dry; 

 would drink all the water offered him. In fact, 

 his owner considered him a "used up horse," and 

 he certainly appeared like one. He wanted him 

 bled, but this I refused to do. Treatment : To 

 be deprived of all food, except a little meal stirred 

 into a pail of warm water. Of this he was to 

 drink often ; to be lightly covered, and well rubbed 

 with a cloth, twice a day, and to give the aconite 

 as above every two hours. At my next visit, the 

 follov/ing day, the horse was every way better, 

 and his owner thought him not quite so poor prop- 

 erty as the day before. His breathing was more 

 easy and free, but he had some cough ; ordered 

 the treatment continued, and to give bryonia in 

 connection with the aconite, alternating once in 

 four hours ; without following the treatment fur- 

 ther, suffice it to say, that in less than a week the 

 horse was as well apparently as he ever was ; not 

 so strong, of course. I may take this subject up 

 at a future time. Farmers, use your brains more, 

 and save your hard-earned dollars. N. Q. T. 



King Oak Hill, 1860. 



Remarks. — We hope so. This is the kind of 

 instruction most of us need. 



Where do Sea-Birds Slake their Thirst ? 

 — The question is often asked, where do sea-birds 

 obtain fresh water to slake their thirst ? but we 

 have never seen it satisfactorily answered till a 

 few days ago. An old skipper with whom we 

 were conversing on the subject, said that he had 

 frequently seen these birds at sea, far from any 

 land that could furnish them with water, hovering 

 around and under a storm cloud, clattering like 

 ducks on a hot day at a pond, and drinking in the 



