WHISKY OR TEA?

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 85, 5 June 1908, Page 5

WHISKY OR TEA?

Stinuslants for Stock,

In the course of his lecture to farmers at Pahiatua on the 19th inst, writes a correspondent of the " Dominion," Mr J. A. Gilrrfh, Government Veterinarian, i'efqgse>4 to rfhe necessity at times of a stimulant for cows which had just calved. Three or four glasses of whisky were very good in these cases, in addition to Epsom Salts. Later in the evening, one of the audience, a Ballance farmer, created some mirth 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 searching!}' at his interrogator, in order to ascertain if some joke, in the interests of total abstinence, was not at the back of the query. The man from Ballance stood firm under the keen scrutiny of the grey eye?, and, grasping the back of the chair in front of him, awaited expectantly the answer. The audience applauded vociferously. " I am afraid 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 medicinal dose."