MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 December 1938, Page 6

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

CURES FROM THE ANIMAL WORLD. One of the oldest beliefs of mankind is that animals or parts of animals have curative and medicinal properties. For instance, in the time of ancient Rome physicians used to treat rheumatism with shocks from electric ray fish; and the application of leeches for various ailments was common. In the nineteenth century a Norwich dealer kept a regular stock of 50.000 leeches, and one American had a farm for these creatures covering thirteen acres. A London chemist still sells several thousands of leeches each year.

More incredible were cures prescribed in the seventeenth century. A boiled door-mouse was recommended for earache, and the same animal’s fat. applied to the soles of the feet, was said to induce sleep. In Malaya the loris is pursued because it is thought that the little beast has the power to cure all sicknesses. The Far East sells rhino horn at fourteen guineas per pound, for the horn, crushed' to powder and taken internally, is reported to be an infallible rejuvenator for the old and weary.

The fat of various snakes was sold in jars in the streets of London less than thirty years ago, and presumably the product could be used externally or internally. A more scientific product of the snake world is venom, which has a coagulatinng effect that is very useful in cases of profuse bleeding. The liver oils of cod and halibut have genuine and well-known curative powers; but on a different basis are seventeenth century suggestions of crabs’ eyes for baldness and shrews' tails for stubborn sores.