WHISKY OR TEA?

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13664, 30 May 1908, Page 7

WHISKY OR TEA?

In the course of his lecture to farmers at Pahiatua on Tuesday night (writes the Wairarapa correspondent of the Dominion), Mr J. A. Gilruth, Chief Government Veterinarian, referred to the necessity at times of a stimulant for cows which ihad just calved. Three or four glasses of whisky were very good in these cases, in addition to Epsom's salts. Later in the evening one of the audience, a Ballance farmer, created some amusement by gravely asking Mr Gilruth if he did not think that tea would be as effective as whisky. Mr Gilruth appeared almost aghast at the question, and he looked searchingly at his interrogator, in order to ascertain if some joke, iri the interests of total abstinence, were not at the back of the query, The man from Ballance stood firm under the keen scrutiny of the grey eyes, and, grasping the back of the seat in front of him, awaited expectantly the answer. The audience applauded vociferously. "I am afraid that I shall have to disappoint you," said Mr Gilruth at last. "Alcohol as a medicine has been proved to be absolutely the finest stimulant. Ido not mean that it is good as a beverage, but there is really no doubt as to its medicinal powers. Three or four glasses of whisky administered to a cow is nothing more than a medicine dose."\ The questioner sat down with a look of disappointment, and the audience again applauded.