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Because
of the nature of the subject, a significant chapter of Old West
history - bloody livestock injuries - is often ignored or forgotten.
However, it did happen, and here is the story.
Beginning with the invention of barbed
wire in the early 1870s and the consequent manufacture and installation
of barbed-wire
fences across the land, a serious adjustment period occurred
as the animals met and tested the prickly barrier for the first
time.
Injury, often serious, occurred as pets, valuable livestock, a few
humans and the family milk cow came in contact with the sharp points.
Livestock owners protested so loud about the injuries that the future
manufacture of the product was placed in jeopardy. But the need
to protect growing crops and private property was much greater,
so the manufacture of barbed wire continued to increase.
Of
interest, the livestock learned quickly to stay away from the wire.
Manufacturers began making more humane wires with shorter, duller
points, some of which turned on the wire when touched by the hides
of the animals. The evolution of barbed wire had begun. These injuries
also spawned a little-known business that endured for more than
25 years wherever there were animals and fences.
Remember now, this was during the horsepower age and at a time with
few educated veterinarians around. The chore of tending the injuries
fell to the local community's horse doctor.
Most of these individuals loved animals and had a way with stock,
and some had remedies handed down from their elders. The financial
rewards were often significant.
The
basic treatment of a wire cut was to stop the bleeding and clean,
disinfect and coat it with oil to keep the wound supple yet smelling
strong enough to keep flies away to prevent screw worms. To produce
this evil-smelling but healing potion often led to some fame and
a small fortune. Every horse doctor had his "secret liniment" that
he bragged "brought miraculous healing."
Many of these more enterprising individuals developed, manufactured
and sold their secret potions to the public much like the old-time
medicine show man peddled his "miracle tonics" to the public while
entertaining with some foot-patting music.
With
specially made manufactured bottles too expensive, the horse doctors
sent young boys to scavenge empty bottles from town and farm dumps,
paying a penny a bottle for the right size containers. Since all
bottles of the time were stoppered with corks, they would merely
clean, fill, add a stopper and label, and a salable product was
born. These products included liniments, oils, salves, balms and
healing powders. This is known as the Wire Cut Medicine Era.
Created during the Wire Cut Medicine Era, modern collectors have
catalogued more than 150 brands and containers with labels or embossed
names. Most say, "for barb wire cuts and scratches." Some even say
"for man or beast."
By 1895, the era ended as livestock learned to stay away from barbed-wire
fences.
The old-time horse doctors died off and were replaced by licensed
veterinarians with patented, government- approved medicines.
© Delbert Trew
- July
5, 2011 column
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