Box Stalls for Sick Animals 123 



the barn and one into a smooth yard, are important 

 adjuncts. The doors should not be opposite, as that 

 would produce a draft. They should be made with 

 independent upper and lower halves. The doors should 

 be wide enough so that an animal can be easily carried 

 in when unable to walk; and it is necessarj' sometimes 

 to get him out while in the same condition. In the 

 corner opposite the inner door, there should be a win- 

 dow, protected with bars and arranged so that it can 

 be opened for ventilation, and darkened w^hen necessary. 

 In another corner should be placed a feed -box, which 

 can be removed when not in use. There should be 

 strong rings for tying and for drawing the head up 

 for drenching. Strong hooks in the ceiling will be 

 found to be useful. 



In caring for sick animals, the quarters should be 

 kept as clean, tidy and free from medicinal and other 

 disagreeable odoi-s as possible. The floors should be 

 scraped frequently, but not washed, unless for some 

 particular purpose, as washing makes the quarters too 

 damp. If it can lie down, the animal should be well 

 bedded with fine, dry, loose litter. In cases in which 

 sick animals are disposed to eat the bedding, tan -bark, 

 moss or even sawdust can be used. Bedding should 

 be removed when not needed. The quarters should be 

 kept at a comfortable temperature, and, above all, 

 should be well ventilated, as pure air is essential in 

 sickness. Sufficient light should be admitted to make 

 the quarters cheerful, except that for special reasons and 

 particular diseases the stall should be darkened. In 

 some nervous afflictions and diseases of the eye dark- 



