122 The Care of Animals 



instances the course is the same — the real cause of the 

 trouble should be sought for, and if possible removed. 



Sick animals should be placed, as soon as possible, 

 in comfortable quarters where the proper care and at- 

 tention can be supplied. In many cases they will be 

 found sick among the very conditions that have caused 

 the disease, or that have at least weakened the animal's 

 constitution. Surroundings may be injurious in various 

 ways, — such as subjecting the animals to extremes of 

 heat or cold or to inclement weather. 



BOX STALLS FOR SICK ANIMALS 



One of the most important things in the treatment 

 of sick horses and cattle is a box stall of some sort, 

 where the animal can be kept. There is probably no 

 one thing so valuable, and yet so commonly lacking 

 in farm barns. Not only in cases of sickness is it 

 useful. It is a place in which to confine an animal 

 when she is about to give birth to her young. It is 

 invaluable for the immediate care of the young after 

 birth, and for the confining of them at weaning time. 



A box stall should be located where it will be dry 

 and well ventilated, warm in winter, cool in summer. 

 It should be 10 x 12 feet in size and high, to allow 

 for good ventilation. It should be strongly made and 

 ceiled on the inside and overhead, so that it can be 

 readily disinfected. A plank floor should be laid. Dirt 

 or paved floors, while good in some ways, are likely 

 to be damp and cold. Earth floors cannot be disin- 

 fected easily. Two strong wide doors, one opening into 



