OLD FARMER'S ALMANAC

ANIMAL CARE FROM THE 1793 ALMANAC, CONTRASTED WITH 21ST-CENTURY TREATMENTS

TO CURE ANY SORT OF WOUND IN SHEEP

THEN: Mix together an equal quantity of turpentine, tar, fresh butter. Apply it plaster-wise, and it will not fail but cure any sore.

NOW: For an open wound, shear the wool around the wound. Wash it with antiseptic soap, then flush with clean water. Cover area around wound with fly repellent gel. Cover the wound with a nongreasy ointment. See vet about antibiotics. Keep wound clean.

TO KILL WORMS IN HORSES

THEN: Give the horse (troubled with worms or grubs), for three mornings, a pint of strong rue tea. In it, bruise and squeeze the juice of 3 or 4 heads of garlic. Dissolve in it a handful of salt.

NOW: If possible, identify the type of parasite (fecal sample analysis helps). If necessary, employ a deworming rotation. Reduce parasite risk to pastures and facilities by picking up and disposing of manure regularly.

Limit the number of horses grazing per acre and graze horses by age. Rotate horses and cattle in grazing pastures.

TO CURE A SORE OF ANY KIND ON HORSES

THEN: Put into a clean pipkin [earthenware pot] (that holds about a quart) resin the bigness of a pullet’s egg. When this is melted on the fire, add the same quantity of bees’ wax. When that is melted, put in 10 ounces of honey, but not till the wax is dissolved. Put in half a pound of common turpentine. Keep it gently boiling, stirring it with a stick all the time. When the turpentine is dissolved, put in 2 ounces of verdigris [copper acetate], finely powdered. But before you put in the verdigris, take the pipkin off the fire (else it will rise over into the fire in a moment), set it on again, and give it two or three stirs, and strain it through a coarse cloth into a clean vessel, and throw the dregs away.

NOW: If the wound is open, clean it with water, then disinfect with 2 tablespoons salt in 1 gallon distilled water. If the wound is very dirty, an antimicrobial wash may be necessary. Apply a nonadhesive compression bandage and contact the vet. If the wound is blisters (aka ulcers) on the mouth, avoid and/or destroy buttercup, foxtail, and sandbur in the pasture, as all are considered causes. Rinse mouth with water.


In "The Old Farmer's 2017 Almanac", 2016, Boston, USA. Adapted and illustrated to be posted by Leopoldo Costa.

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