Q. Your column about using sugar on wounds has changed the way I treat the cattle on my ranch. We have nearly replaced tetracycline powder for cattle hoof abscesses and lesions.
We did a test and saw equal results with sugar on the first 100 cows. We’ve now used it for more than 1000.
It is easy to remember. Just mix one cup of powdered sugar with 1/4 to 1/3 cup of any cooking oil to the consistency of cake frosting. Keep the wound covered for one or two days and change if necessary.
A. We are fascinated to learn that this remedy for hard-to-heal wounds could be so useful on a ranch. You have described Dr. Richard Knutson’s “recipe” very well.
We also heard this from another reader: “A paralyzed friend with persistent bed sores was cured when the sugar and oil mixture was used on them.”
Other readers have written about the use of medicinal honey for wound healing. GRH has this story: “My wife gave birth to twins via c-section in 1996. She was stapled shut and sent home after two days in the hospital. Went back for a check-up a week later and the top layer of skin and tissue, about 1&1/2 inches deep and 6 inches across, had not started healing after the staples were removed.
“Dr. told me to clean it with peroxide and fill it with honey three times a day. I thought with the advent of modern medicine that he was crazy but he was serious. ‘Just pick up a bottle of the honey bear with the pointed top at the store.’ Two days later it was closed shut. I put it on all of my cuts and eat local honey daily. My kids are pretty sweet too!”
