CAUSES OF DISEASE
In the first place most diseases arise from mismanagement. The very principles at the bottom of good health receive no consideration and little thought. On some farms it is seldom that a case of disease is heard of; on others, stock are under treatment at all times. Where order prevails, where cleanliness is appreciated, where disease-producing conditions are never allowed to accumulate or even gain an introduction, health is the rule and disease the exception. When the latter appears, it is due to some outside influence that gave it admission.
The greatest mischief in handling farm stock comes from improper food, filthy or impure drinking water, bad ventilation of stables, overwork, or lack of exercise and poor sanitary conditions.
Disease, therefore, is largely due to causes within control of the owner of the farm stock. True, one source of trouble is due to mechanical causes: horses get nail punctures, legs and necks and head are cut in fences, blows bring bruises. But whose fault? Certainly not the animal. Old boards with nails ought not to be left in all sorts of places, fences should be protected, and stable fixtures, gates and harnesses should be in such order that only in rare cases will injury result.
Disease from Chemical Causes.
—Poisonous materials and poisonous plants cause death to thousands of animals annually. Of great importance to the stock interests is the rapid destruction of these harmful products. Fortunately in the older sections these are about eliminated now, and we are also understanding more about the molds that lead to bad results when moldy forage is given as feed to farm animals. In time disease will be considerably lessened when only clean, wholesome food finds its way into the mangers and feed racks—then disease will depart and more rapid gains will come.
Heredity Plays a Part.
—Despite caution and care, health is often disturbed because of hereditary influences. Thanks to science, we know now that many of the old bugbears of the past, and once so entrenched, have become dislodged, and their true import set right before the owner. Tuberculosis, for instance, once so dreaded in both man and beast, is now known not to be handed down from parent to progeny; it is a germ disease, pure and simple, and gets its start just as many other ailments—through breath, or drink, or feed. There are hereditary troubles, however, that continue down through many generations. The narrow hock of the horse invites curb diseases; the narrow chest is a good breeding ground for tuberculosis germs; straight pasterns are bad for the feet; poor conformation is not consistent with efficiency or easy functional activity.
These examples clearly show that form and type and physical characteristics have roles to play in animal economy and in health to which the wise stockman will give heed.
BACTERIA AS SEEN UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
a, Spirillum. b, Micrococcus. c, Micrococcus. d, Streptococcus. e, f, g, h, Rod-shaped bacteria. i and j, Divisions.
Germs and Parasites.
—In addition to the above causes of disease, another class is before us ready to inflict its injury at all times. Indeed, it is a class of the greatest importance. I refer now to parasites, bacteria, and germs, which cause more loss to live stock than all others combined. Think of hog cholera, a germ disease; of tuberculosis, a germ disease; of stomach worms, parasites; of staggers, a mold disease; of abortion, a germ disease; and hundreds of like nature, all due to parasites and germs, disease agents that disturb and destroy the delicate organs or exposed regions, as the case may be, regardless of age, value, or breed.
Of course, remedies and treatment are being worked out to meet these individual diseases as they occur. Nevertheless, the best treatment is prevention. It is far better to prevent than to cure; and that is the line of action especially for this class. Indeed, it is far easier to understand the simple laws of prevention than the complicated curative processes. Especially is this true since germs are known and isolated, and their rapid destruction with air, sunlight, and disinfectants understood and available.