14 CONKEY'S STOCK BOOK 



be with the food or with the animal's own digestive system. Watch 

 the appetite. Look out for any signs of pain, unusual nervousness, depres- 

 sion, for all these help to show what is the trouble. 



As in human ailments, the nursing and care of the sick animal is of 

 as much importance as the actual medicine. Little attention is paid to 

 it usually, simply because so few know what and how to do. The medicine 

 is right to be sure. But care and attention must go with it. Naturally, 

 the best caretaker for a sick animal is the one most familiar with it; for 

 beside being more soothing to the sick animal, he can best note symptoms 

 or changes that in many cases would be entirely overlooked by a stranger. 



The logical treatment with any disease is: Find the cause and then the 

 cure. The cause once found, remove it and so prevent a second attack. 

 Even when colic in horses or bloating in cattle require the most prompt 

 attention, look for the cause just the same. The cause once discovered, 

 the big difficulty in curing will be removed. 



SICK ANIMALS Sick animals should be separated at once from the 

 others. When possible, if the trouble is serious, take 



the well animals to new clean quarters where there is no chance of infec- 

 tion. This is not always possible in crowded stables, so the use of a 

 good disinfectant such as Conkey's Nox-i-cide Dip and Disinfectant is 

 necessary to make the old quarters pure and sanitary again. The attendant 

 should also use Nox-i-cide to avoid any possible infection himself, or danger 

 of spreading the trouble to the rest of the stock. 



A comfortable box stall is the proper accommodation for a sick 

 animal, or one giving birth to young. It is surprising so few box stalls 

 are provided. A box stall should be placed so that it will be dry and 

 well ventilated, as well as warm in winter and cool in summer and should 

 be kept at a temperature of 60-65 F. as nearly as possible. It should not 

 be less than 10 x 12 feet in size. It should be strongly made and smoothly 

 ceiled on the inside walls and overhead, to admit of ready disinfection. 

 It should have a good plank floor, as dirt or paved floors are liable to 

 be cold and damp. There should be two doors, one opening into the 

 barn and another into a level yard, and they should not be opposite one 

 another to cause draft. The doors should be made with upper and lower 

 halves, and should close and should be wide enough to carry an animal 

 in or out when not able to walk. There should also be a barred window 

 that can be opened, closed or darkened as desired. In one corner should 

 be a movable feed box. Strong rings should be provided for tying and 

 holding the head up for drenching. Strong hooks in the ceiling will 

 also be found useful if it is ever necessary to use a sling. 



In caring for sick animals, the quarters should be kept absolutely 

 clean. Nox-i-cide in the wash water (1 to 100 parts water) will be 

 effective. Occasionally spraying the walls, floors and ceiling with a strong 

 solution will be necessary. This will kill all germs and also kill bad 

 odors from disease, medicines, etc. 



FOOD FOR The food for sick animals is as important as the 



AILING ANIMALS medicine. Keep up the strength for resistance to 

 disease by careful feeding and tempt the appe- 

 tite. Easily digested, nutritious, but not bulky foods, should be given. 

 Laxative foods should also be given when required. Good foods for 

 sick animals are not always the same for all species, but they may be 

 suggested as follows: Freshly cut grass, chopped carrots, chopped apples, 



