June 16, 1938 - February 22, 2010
Welcome to Milliron Monday where every Monday we celebrate the legacy of Pete Smith, D.V.M., and Milliron: Abbott “Pete” Smith, D.V.M. The Biography (Monday Creek Publishing 2017). A graduate of Colorado State University and a well-known veterinarian in southeast Ohio, Dr. Smith continues to motivate and inspire.
Every new year, Nancy Bonnet sends the Smith family a calendar from her local hardware store. Bonnet, a long time friend and client of the Smith family, lives in West Virginia. Dr. Smith maintained a large clientele in West Virginia and Bonnet traveled the countryside with Dr. Smith on farm calls.
A farmer's veterinarian, Dr. Smith encountered many requests to perform certain procedures during specific phases of the moon, particularly castration. Most wise farmers read the Farmers' Almanac, which lists full moon dates and times. Using this chart, Dr. Smith's clients would schedule appointments to castrate their farm animals.
R.P. 'Doc' Cooke, the author of Castration Considerations, Thoughts and Methods (farmprogress.com), states the following...
"Honestly, these days we are checking the signs of the zodiac on the Farmers' Almanac calendar. When they are below the secrets (Scorpio) and headed down is when we cut [castrate]. According to the zodiac signs, the best time to castrate is when signs are under Sagittarius (thighs), Capricorn (knees), Aquarius (legs), and Pisces (feet). If we castrate when the signs are in the knees (Capricorn) and the following day they are in the feet (Pisces) that is considered optimal. I do not claim to understand, but I do not argue."
Statistics show that animals in general, are affected by the moon; behavioral issues, eating disorders, and more have been attributed to the moon. For a veterinarian, keeping a calendar that shows moon signs will help him plan his work schedule. For a farmer, moon phases are important for animal husbandry, land management (including gardening/planting/harvesting), etc.
The Roman historian Pliny the Elder and Greek philosopher Aristotle believed that because our brain is a “moist” organ, our minds are influenced by the pull of the moon in the same way the tides are. Of course, animals are included, too.
Nancy Bonnet continues to send Jody Smith a calendar from her local hardware store. Jody keeps it in her kitchen.
The next new moon is this Thursday, 1:39 P.M. Maybe we all need to hear what the moon is saying.
Have a great week ahead. Stay well.
Connect with Gina
Through captivating, powerful, and emotional anecdotes, we celebrate the life of Dr. Abbott P. Smith. His biography takes the reader from smiles to laughter to empathy and tears. Dr. Smith gave us compelling lessons learned from animals; the role animals play in the human condition, the joy of loving an animal, and the awe of their spirituality. A tender and profound look into the life of a skilled veterinarian.
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