Transmissible Diseases. 97 



the other members of the herd. With the contagious 

 diseases, it is of the greatest importance that an early 

 and correct diagnosis of the trouble be made so that pro- 

 per means may be taken to prevent the spread of the dis- 

 ease in the herd. 



In the following pages the general characteristics of 

 the transmissible diseases most likely to be met by the 

 stockman in his herd and flocks are given. The farmer 

 must usually rely for a diagnosis of any disease on the 

 experienced veterinarian who must often call to his aid 

 the facilities of a bacteriological laboratory. 



Treatment and prevention of transmissible diseases. 

 With most of the transmissible diseases but little can be 

 done so far as treatment of the infected animal is con- 

 cerned. Especially is this true when the period of incu- 

 bation of the disease is past and the causal organism is 

 established in the body of the animal. The disease must 

 be allowed to run its course in the individual animal. 

 Much can be done in preventing the disease, either in 

 keeping it out of the herds and flocks, or in limiting its 

 spread when once introduced. The transmissible diseases 

 are often called preventable diseases. The prevention is 

 accomplished by not allowing contact of the animals with 

 any materials containing the causal organism. In order 

 to do this in an intelligent manner, it must be known with 

 certainty which disease is present ; the nature of the or- 

 ganism; its manner of entering, and leaving the animal 

 body, etc. 



The farmer should have a sufficient knowledge of the 

 nature of the various diseases so that he may know the 

 proper steps to take, in order to protect his animals in 

 outbreaks of the different transmissible diseases. 



