CI 



MEDICIXAL TEEATMEXT IX GEXERAL. 349 



tious are necessarily not of the kind siiitaljlc for iit'nve systemic 

 erangements. To combat this disadvantage, as above stated, 

 hygiene must be relied on. This cannot be too strongly enforced 

 on the minds of the flock-owner. For instance, in cases of foot- 

 rot, remove the flock to high, well-drained ground, where the sur- 

 roundings are dry. This, in connection with the treatment pre- 

 scribed in this work, will effect a speedy cure, but to give foot- 

 baths, etc., and leave the animals in the same locality will not be 

 attended with the degree of success sought after. In medicinal 

 treatment it is well to remember that in the animal economy 

 there resides to a great extent what is termed ''vis medicatrix 

 naturae," (power of nature to cure itself), and that medicinal 

 agents are only useful in so far as they assist that power, and 

 that animals are frequently injured or recovery retarded or per- 

 haps the sheep are killed outright by the promiscuous adminis- 

 tration of drugs. !No agent should be given without the party 

 administering the same knowing just what he is giving, what re- 

 sults he expects to obtain from the drug and in what manner it is 

 supposed to act, and finally, the correct dose for the subject to 

 which it is to be given. This is a fundamental rule in prescrib- 

 ing medicine. If you would be successful in treating vour flock 

 in disease, study their wants and desires when in health. Re- 

 member for sick animals no dosing is far and away preferable to 

 the ignorant use of powerful drugs or nauseous concoctions com- 

 pounded bj^ ignorant .and bigoted quacks, who consider that the 

 filthier the agent is which they prescribe the more salutary will 

 be its effects. When in doubt what to use, call in someone who 

 is qualified by his education and experience to prescribe. LTse 

 what he tells you, and don't follow the advice of every loud- 

 mouthed empiric, who is generally talking for effect, but when 

 put to trial lacks knowledge of even the simple necessaries per- 

 taining to the treatment of disease. 



