From donkeys to canaries, we treated a huge range of animals back in the 1920s as this extract reveals. It’s taken from a regular column on veterinary advice that appeared in The Animals’ Advocate magazine in 1927 which was edited by Maria Dickin.

Betty. I am very worried about my hen Betty, She is dull and listless, will not mix with others and feels quite cold to the touch.

Treatment. Betty has probably contracted catarrhal roup and must be isolated at once. She should be given soft food and powdered cayenne pepper, gentian root, prepared chalk and powdered rhubarb.

Mrs R. Could you please send something for my canary? He sits in the bottom of the cage all day and breathes very hard. He eats all right and is about seven-years-old.

Treatment. Your canary appears to have bronchitis or asthma. Line the floor of the cage with cotton wool and feed with stiff bread and milk. Keep him in an even temperature with plenty of fresh air and not above a gas burner or gas fire.

W. Middleton, Birmingham. My donkey has slight attacks of gripes (gastric pain) and seems in pain. Is there anything I can do to prevent this?

Treatment. Put donkey in a quiet corner with a good bed. Give 1 teaspoonful of powdered ginger, half a wine glass of turpentine in half a pint of linseed oil. Keep patient on soft food, bran and linseed for a few days.

Bradshaw, Willesden. What food should I feed my Opossum?

Answer. In captivity it should be fed ants’ eggs, boiled or raw hen’s eggs, fruit of all kinds, a little minced meat, bread and milk, dog biscuits etc.