THE CARE OF ANIMALS 



CHAPTER I 

 GENERAL ADVICE 



Domestic animals are kept under conditions that 

 are more or less artificial, — conditions created by man 

 and largely under his control. These conditions may 

 be conducive to the good health and utility of ani- 

 mals, or if neglected or improperly attended to they 

 may prove injurious; and they are frequently the 

 active agents in the production of disease. 



Wherever animals are gathered in large numbers 

 there is an increased tendency toward contagious and 

 infectious diseases, and extra precautions must be 

 taken. It has been stated by some writers that the 

 function or economy of disease -producing germs is to 

 prevent an undue population of the earth. The fact 

 that contagious diseases are most prevalent where 

 numbers of animals are gathered, where hygienic and 

 sanitary rules are not enforced, and where ignorance 

 prevails, tends, at least, to enforce this conclusion, and 

 to show that, in the main, "the fittest survive." 



In the care of domestic animals, the old adage that 

 "a stitch in time saves nine" is applicable, for it is 

 much easier and more economical to prevent diseases 



A (1) 



