THE MEANING OF DISEASE 89 



The final stage is the period of improvement. 

 The battle that has been waged between the body 

 and the disease is now about ended. The disease 

 germs have been routed and the body has been 

 victorious. All that now remains is the clearing 

 away of the debris. In this case it is scattered 

 throughout the body system. The damage that has 

 been done is to be repaired and left, if possible, as 

 near to the original condition, as the nature of the 

 disease will allow. The period of improvement will 

 vary in different diseases and in different animals. 

 Recovery may occur in a few days, in some cases, 

 and in others weeks and months will be required. 

 A change of feed or pasture or work is usually 

 necessary if the most rapid recovery would be had. 

 In some cases, nothing other than absolute rest will 

 suffice. 



THE TERMINATION OF DISEASES 



After the disease has run its course, the body 

 usually returns to its former normal condition. 

 There seems to be a limit to what the disease can 

 do. A healthy body may be attacked, but, in the 

 end, disease retires, having used itself up. There 

 are diseases, however, that leave their marks in 

 many ways. And these become permanent marks. 

 With many of these all of us are acquainted. 

 Smallpox is one. The pits over the face record the 

 fierce battle that was fought. The same is true 

 of wasted tissues, with scars that conspicuously 

 mark the track along which blood poison has trav- 

 eled. The shrunken hoof of the foundered horse 

 tells the adverse termination of that disease. 



While recovery may be more or less complete, 

 the effect is to seriously injure the worth and value 

 of the individual. There is a long list of this kind. 



