as I dont know anyone thats a couple of hundred years old, I cant answer that one, but Im presuming that nowdays, ferret keepers care a bit more about their ferrets, way back then, maybe they shugged their shoulders and went home, the question will get answers giving you pro's and con's, its a bit like me asking you, have you a mobile phone or computer, and do you really need one, after all, people got on fine for years before they came along,