Following the period of infection comes the period of eruption. At this stage the typical characteristics are observed. At the next step the disease reaches its height with the animal under its complete dominion. But only temporarily. If properly nursed and treated, with most diseases, the animal will pass through the period and recover.
The final stage is the period of improvement. The battle that has been waged between the body and the disease is now about ended. The disease germs have been routed and the body has been victorious. All that now remains is the clearing away of the débris. In this case it is scattered throughout the body system. The damage that has been done is to be repaired and left, if possible, as near to the original condition, as the nature of the disease will allow. The period of improvement will vary in different diseases and in different animals. Recovery may occur in a few days, in some cases, and in others weeks and months will be required. A change of feed or pasture or work is usually necessary if the most rapid recovery would be had. In some cases, nothing other than absolute rest will suffice.
THE TERMINATION OF DISEASES
After the disease has run its course, the body usually returns to its former normal condition. There seems to be a limit to what the disease can do. A healthy body may be attacked, but, in the end, disease retires, having used itself up. There are diseases, however, that leave their marks in many ways. And these become permanent marks. With many of these all of us are acquainted. Smallpox is one. The pits over the face record the fierce battle that was fought. The same is true of wasted tissues, with scars that conspicuously mark the track along which blood poison has traveled. The shrunken hoof of the foundered horse tells the adverse termination of that disease.
While recovery may be more or less complete, the effect is to seriously injure the worth and value of the individual. There is a long list of this kind.
RESULT OF BONE SPAVIN
Pictured here is a natural hock free from disease and a diseased hock, the result of bone spavin. The bone is seriously affected and the easy action prevented.
Other diseases act differently in another way. They progress slowly, are not noticeable at first, but in the end are incurable. Take glanders as a typical case. It quietly and silently develops, often taking months or years in reaching the stage of eruption or before it becomes apparent. During all this time, and even after the disease is recognizable, the animal goes on about his duties with no apparent trouble. The disease, however, is progressing all the time; in the end it conquers its victim, the final stages are reached, and the animal dies.
The stock raiser is concerned with different diseases in so far as they mean slow or rapid recovery, and particularly if they be contagious or not. His entire herd will be impaired if glanders is introduced into it. One tuberculosis cow will convey the disease to all susceptible individuals in the herd to which she belongs, especially if stabled in a tight barn during the winter seasons when little or no ventilation is intentionally provided.