THE MEANING OF DISEASE 83 



Those diseases, with which fever is associated, are 

 general in nature. The nerve centers are influenced, 

 the body heat is increased and a weakened condi- 

 tion prevails. Back of this are the disease poisons 

 — chemical poisons or germ poisons. 



When the temperature of the body, as a result 

 of fever, rises too high certain life principles are 

 changed and death immediately follows. A tem- 

 perature of 106° or 107° is very high, and, there- 

 fore, very dangerous. In treating disease the tem- 

 perature is watched, that the course of the fever 

 may be followed. Treating a fever, then, is helpful 

 and a natural part of the treatment of the disease 

 itself. The basis of the curative process rests upon 

 the principle of proper circulation and the excre- 

 tion of the impure substances. 



CAUSES OF DISEASE 



In the first place most diseases arise from mis- 

 management. The very principles at the bottom 

 of good health receive no consideration and little 

 thought. On some farms it is seldom that a case 

 of disease is heard of; on others, stock are under 

 treatment at all times. Where order prevails, 

 where cleanliness is appreciated, where disease- 

 producing conditions are never allowed to accum- 

 ulate or even gain an introduction, health is the 

 rule and disease the exception. When the latter 

 appears, it is due to some outside influence that 

 gave it admission. 



The greatest mischief in handling farm stock 

 comes from improper food, filthy or impure drink- 

 ing water, bad ventilation of stables, overwork, or 

 lack of exercise and poor sanitary conditions. 



Disease, therefore, is largely due to causes within 

 control of the owner of the farm stock. True, one 



