52 THE DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 



DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



Cattle assume by far the first place among our domestic ani- 

 mals, from an economical point of view. The prosperity of a nation 

 might well be estimated by its wealth in cattle. Of all animals, 

 they supply the greatest proportion of our animal food. Without 

 beef and milk, we could hardly think ourselves capable of existing. 

 Assuming this rank, then, as a source of food, it is self -apparent 

 that the greatest care should be taken in keeping such animals in a 

 hygienic — i. e., healthy — condition. 



Animal hygiene differs much from human : 



1. The animals must be kept healthy. 



2. They must be kept healthy, so that they may yield the great- 

 est possible return to the owner, be it work, flesh, milk, or other 

 products. 



To attain this end requires the greatest attention on the part of 

 the owners. 



To attain it economically, the owner must pay attention to the 

 different characteristics of each animal, that no food goes to waste. 

 One animal fattens easier than another on the same amount of food. 

 One cow yields more milk, or one ox performs a like amount of 

 work upon food that its neighbor will not thrive upon. 



But in many instances, and it is with these we have especially to 

 do, animal hygiene imposes upon the owner a responsibility that has, 

 up to the present time, almost escaped appreciation. 



It is the imperative duty of owners, or breeders of animals, to 

 study every influence that may possibly have an injurious effect 

 upon them, when destined to be articles of human consunrption, 

 either as flesh or milk. 



Thus we see that the interests of public health demand the 

 greatest and most studious care of the water, feeding, and surround- 

 ings of such animals. 



We are not going too far when we assert that this branch of 

 animal hygiene has been almost entirely neglected, not only by the 

 owner, but by scientists as well. 



Tape-worms are not by any means an uncommon occurrence in 

 man, yet how few people realize that one variety is derived from 

 the consumption of improperly cooked beef ! 



An instance comes to our mind of an M. D., who enjoyed a large 

 practice, that came to us with the segments of a tape-worm, but 

 could not believe it was, because the patient never ate any pork. 



