104 The Bulletin. 



Through a knowledge of some of the laws of hygiene and sanitation we 

 should attempt to prevent disease rather than invite trouble in order to resort 

 to treatment. When disease does occur it should not be the policy to "give 

 him something," but rather, if in doubt as to what is best, give nature a 

 chance ; for damage as well as good may be done by the use of drugs. 



From the birth of an animal on, close observation should be given ; for per- 

 sonal attention is the first requisite to successful handling of live stock. 



Below will be found a few of the general principles of care and management 

 of live stock : 



The quarters, whether barn or other shelter, should be sufficiently large to 

 amply accommodate all animals kept. Horses and cattle should be allowed 

 at least SO to 40 square feet of floor space and not le.ss than 1,000 cubic feet 

 of air space, and preferably more. If a barn, it should be provided with win- 

 dows (not a pigeonhole in front of each horse) of sufficient size and numbers, 

 suitably placed so as to admit of abundance of fresh air and sunlight. These 

 two items are of the utmost importance in the maintenance of health and in 

 the recovery fi'om disease as well. Damp, dark, and poorly ventilated sta- 

 bles are often a serious menace to health. Far too many of our quarters for 

 animals are lacking in these essentials, and some of us are negligent in not 

 taking full advantage of them even in our own houses. 



"Let a little sunshine in" ; sleep in a well-ventilated bedroom. Sunshine is 

 the cheapest and one of the best disinfectants we have. Quarters should pro- 

 tect from cold, but not at the expense of good ventilation. In the quarters, 

 however, the animal should not be required to stand in the sun's rays on a hot 

 summer day nor in a direct draft in cold weather. 



A satisfactoi-y .stall floor can be made by putting down a good layer of 

 coai'se gravel or cinders and covering with 2 inches of clay well packed down. 

 Floors can be of tight boards or of cement: for stall, should be provided with 

 a portable covering made of slats to allow urine to drip through, and kept 

 well bedded. 



After suitable quarters are provided, they should be kept clean, dry. and 

 free from offensive odors. Chickens should not be allowed to roost in or near 

 the stable, for chicken lice are frequently parasitic upon horses and cattle. 

 While it may not be necessary nor even advisable to remove the manure daily, 

 nor frequently if produced in small quantities, the stall should be kept suffi- 

 ciently bedded to take up the excess of moisture. The sprinkling over every 

 day or .so with a little ground phosphate rock will assist in this as well as to 

 balance up the composition of the manure as a complete fertilizer. Manure 

 allowed to accumulate in this manner will serve as an excellent breeding 

 place for flies during warm weather. In a week oa* ten days after laying the 

 egg, the complete transformation into the adult fly will be accomplished. If 

 flies are to be controlled the manure will have to be removed and scattered at 

 least once a week in warm weather, or, if in small quantities, can be placed 

 in fly-tight receptacles (solid or screened) and kept until in sufficient quanti- 

 ties to warrant hauling out. 



The barn should lie suitably located so as to afford good drainage from it 

 and likewise the lot adjoining. 



Bank barns, as a rule, are too difficult to admit of light and to ventilate, 

 hence are not to be generally advocated. Shelter from rain and sunshine and 

 a wind-break should be provided for all classes of animals, even if a closed 

 barn is not necessary. 



Work animals when warm from exercise should not be allowed to cool off 

 too rapidly in cold weather, for fear of precipitating a case of pneumonia, 

 pleurisy, or some other disease. Under such circumstances they should be 

 stabled (out of a di-aft) blanketed, mbbed dry or slowly exercised until 

 coolo<l out. 



Ileat stroke should be avoided by not overworking, driving or exciting 

 animals, on hot, humid days ; by watering frequently, with short breathing 

 spells, and by providing some form of head shade. 



In addition to keeping the barn in a sanitary condition, the animals also 

 should be kept clean. The work animal should receive his daily grooming 

 with currycomb, used with care, and brush or cloth. The currycomb should 



