162 SUCCESSFUL FARMING 



necessity for comfortable quarters, and lastly the benefits of humane and 

 intelligent treatment. This means familiarity with the laws of hygiene 

 and as far as possible with the structures (anatomical parts) and the 

 functions (normal actions) of the animal body. There is a general simi- 

 larity of the organization of animal bodies and of the human body, and what 

 is bad for mankind is most likely bad for animals. 



Knowledge of Disease Should Precede Treatment. No one should 

 undertake the treatment of a disease of animals whose nature he is not 

 familiar with, nor to administer medicines whose effects are unknown to 

 him, any more than he should attempt to treat similar disorders in the 

 human. The mere fact that one is animal and the other human does not 

 alter the chances for success, nor prove more creditable to his intelligence. 



Stockmen should exercise common sense in the management of animals 

 in health and disease, and remember that there is always to be regarded 

 the powerful effort on the part of nature to combat bodily disturbances 

 and disease. Intelligent assistance would frequently restore, where indis- 

 creet meddling will destroy. 



There is a strong propensity on the part of stockmen to resort to the 

 use of powerful remedies for all diseases without first deliberating on the 

 nature of the disorder, its cause, its symptoms, its course, its normal duration 

 and, finally, its rational treatment. Such deliberation would frequently 

 indicate that the disorder was due to some lapse in management; that some 

 of the symptoms were mere evidences of nature's effort to overcome the 

 disorder; that its normal cause and duration was dependent upon the 

 duration of mismanagement and that rational treatment should be directed 

 towards assisting rather than in opposing nature's efforts. For example, 

 an animal has been over-fed and diarrhea results. More frequently than 

 otherwise, such a case is treated with opium preparations or astringents, 

 to check the diarrhea, possibly with serious consequences; while on the 

 other hand, rational treatment would consist in restricting the diet, perhaps 

 modifying it, and administering a mild laxative, mashes, flaxseed tea, or 

 raw linseed oil, to assist nature in her efforts at the expulsion of the offending 

 material as shown by the condition of diarrhea. After the desired result 

 has been secured, the animal is brought back, by gradually increased 

 amounts of food, to the usual ration which had been fed. 



Intelligent and judicious management is essential, both in preserving 

 health and in restoring it when impaired. 



GENERAL RULES FOR MAINTAINING HEALTH 



1. Feed only sound, wholesome grain and fodder. Supply abundantly 

 pure water, at short intervals. 



2. Supply salt regularly to all animals. Rock salt is preferable to 

 purified salt, as it contains other needed elements than soda. Hogs and 

 poultry need little salt compared to other farm animals, excessive amounts 

 being ooisonous to them. 



