Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 June 1896 — Intelligence of Animals. [ARTICLE]

Intelligence of Animals.

Dogs and cats, suffering from disordered stomach, eat certain grasses, which have the effect of purging and vomiting. The dog also eats fat with avidity when In need of purgation, but abstains from it in his normal conditions. The horse will eat fat for the same purpose, and earth, coal dust, etc., when suffering from worms. Cattle seek certain herbs when ill—medicinal herbs, such as they would not eat when well. Horses and other animals, when suffering from chronic rheumatism, expose themselves to the sun. Dogs and other animals seek water in which to bathe their wounded limbs. M. Delaunay, a French writer, has recorded many instances of instinct ive therapeutics among lower animals when suffering from fever, infection, wounds, etc. He relates the case of a dog that, on being stung by a viper, held the part in running water for days until it finally recovered. He instances also the case of a dog that was badly injured by being run over by a carriage, and that remained lying In a brook during three weeks. The animal recovered. A terrier was severely wounded in bls right eye. It secluded itself from the light and heat and ate a light, abstemious diet. The wounded eye was treated with spittle applied by itself by means of its paw, which it licked on its upper surface and then applied to tbe wound. This It did repeatedly until the wound healed.