46 BOVINE PATHOLOGY. 



with an unsparing hand. This is the grand doctrine of 

 " Conservative Surgery/^ 



Finally, we must impress upon our minds the extreme 

 value of Nursing and Prevention. 



Nursing consists in attention to minor details which 

 are conducive to the comfort of the patient. Supply 

 of tempting and palatable food, and water or other drinks, 

 as suited to the state of the patient ; free supply of fresh air 

 of an agreeable temperature, prompt removal of ejecta, and 

 the supply of a good clean bed of straw, clothing properly and 

 with judgment, administration of medicines in the gentlest 

 and most effectual manner, and application of dressings of 

 various kinds, also constitute the duties of the nurse. 



When it is remembered that very frequently these simple 

 matters prove more valuable than more active treatment, the 

 necessity for good nursing in all cases will be evident. 



Prevention or Prophylaxis is a most important question. 

 We have seen that conditions are rather unfavorable to 

 curative treatment, but prevention is correspondingly 

 valuable. Veterinary surgeons are called in to prevent 

 disorders of any kind among a herd of cattle, or to adopt 

 special prophylactic means against such a disorder as 

 anthrax. In each case he must carefully adopt hygienic 

 measures with a view to avoidance of predisposing causes. 

 When exciting influences occur they will then be less able 

 to produce marked effects. The quality and quantity of 

 the food must be duly regulated ; the purity and tempera- 

 ture of the air and the sanitary conditions of stalls, houses, 

 &c., as well as the general treatment of the beast, must 

 be adapted to the object for which they have been kept. 

 Such individual predispositions as result from age, con- 

 formation, breed, and temperament, must as much as 

 possible be obviated ; and, lastly, all exciting causes, such 

 as standing in draughts and sudden transitions from heat 

 to cold must be guarded against. There can be no doubt 

 that by such means latent tendency to tubercle and other 

 similar affections can be restrained for a considerable 

 time. The effect of disease of parents may be manifest 

 at birth when it is termed Congenital, or it may remain 



