152 MANUAL OF FARM ANIMALS 



to supply his every need. He must be careful, painstaking, and 

 patient. The first thing to be done is to look for the cause of the 

 trouble, and if possible, to remove it. If the disease is con- 

 tagious, the ailing animal should be put away from other 

 animals equally susceptible to the disease. Whether contagious 

 or otherwise, the quarters should be comfortable. Note care- 

 fully the surroundings of the animal, the work it has been 

 doing, the exercise, general care, food, water, and the source 

 of infection if the disease is contagious. 



The food should receive much attention. When the horse 

 can eat, a small quantity of easily digestible and nutritious food 

 should be given. The food should not contain much bulk and 

 should be rather laxative, as sickness often brings constipation. 

 It should be as attractive as possible, as the appetite is usually 

 poor and sometimes lacking. When it can be prevented, medi- 

 cine should not be put in the food or water, unless tasteless and 

 odorless, as the horse is likely to refuse the food when it is im- 

 portant that he should have it. Natural foods, such as fresh 

 grass, roots, bran mash, and milk, are to be preferred to prepared 

 foods, though the use of patent stock foods may prove beneficial 

 in certain minor ailments, when a tonic is valuable. The feed 

 boxes should be kept clean, and if any food is left, it should be 

 removed and not left until the next meal. 



In certain ailments, it is necessary to protect the horse against 

 the cold or from drafts. This can be done by the use of blankets. 

 To protect the limbs, bandages may be applied. The bandage 

 should be made from strips of woolen cloth about three inches 

 wide and five to eight feet long. Make it into a neat roll, then 

 apply by beginning at the lower or smaller part of the limb 

 and wind upwards. This requires considerable patience and 

 skill, but after a few attempts it will stay in place. 



In those ailments in which the horse cannot stand, yet should 

 remain in an upright position, a sling is used. A sling consists 

 of a wide strip of stout canvas, placed under the animal and 



