Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1871-08-17

Prevention Better than Cure.

From various causes our attention has
been directed of late, more than usual, to
certain diseases affecting live stock. The
occurrence of calamities OF that nature
for each case of disease IL calamity OF
NOR, or less mportance-While much to
be deplored. should have the effect of in
ducing us 10 turn our attention TO the pos
sibility OF prevention, instead Of waiting
until disease has become developed, in or
der to seek for remedies.
We are aware that many well-meaning
persons are apt to ascFibe any general out
break OF fatal disease, whether In the hu-
man population or amongst the domestic
animals, to special visitations OF Prov-
dence; but whilst we desire to speak with
the greatest possible respect OF those who
hold and act upon such views, we cannot
forget that certain laws have been laid
down by the Creator OF the universe,
which If transgressed or set aside will as
suredly be followed by disastrous conse-
quences IL number of people are
crowded into badly-ventilated rooms, to
which is added the further drawback OF
deficient drainage, and If those people are
forced to spend their days and nights I'm
such places then we know to = certainty
they are In fair way Of becoming victims
of fever or some other deadly malaay.
The same laws hold good in the case OF
our domestic animals, and TO the very fact
that they are domesticated - % be as
cribed the occurrence amongst them of
many, perhaps most, of the diseases 20
which they are liable nor does this hold
good merely with respect to those kept In
a CO lfined state. but II Is also true OF ,EUse
which enjoy comparative liberty, and in
nearly every instance the evil, where such
exists, NAV DC traced to the effects OF do
mestication.
When we turn to the maladies which sf-
feet the horse, and look for the causes by
which they were produced. how many DO
we fnd the direct result moi alone OF neg
lect. but even OF downright crueltyi Bad
food, feeding and watering nj nproper
times or in an improper manner. NTH want
OF ventilation, blows, and other kinds OF
harsh treatment. and even in some instan-
Ccs mistaken Kindness. fashion, vanity aud
q variety OF other causes. all OF which are
under the control OF man. combine To ruin
the health, destroy the usefulness, and even
terminate the life OF the most noble anima,
which has been placed a. the serv ice Of
man. n we take our stand at q corner OF
a street In any crowded city, and cast
glance at the hundreds of horses passing
OF various Descriptions, which come under
our notice, how very few there are which
do not exhibit some mark or other of neg
lcct, or worse. II may lie alleged that
many Of the diseases which affect horses
especially those employed IN towns. such
as lameuess in its various forms. are I'M
avoidable. We grant that this may be so
10 some extent under present circumstan-
ces but seeing that the different causes
which produce those evils are known, II :
surely possible to mitigate If not altogeth-
er avert them. II will not be denied that
much OF the lameness in horses Is atfrIbuf-
able 10 bad shoeiug; and we need not feel
surprised that such j. the case. consider
ing how very few horSe-shoers. comparat-
lively speaking, are acquainted with the
highlg complicated organs upon which
they operate.
But when we turn 10 farm stables VIC do
not find matters much improved Farm
horses are VIGOROUSLY liable 10 diseases
Of the bowels and stomach. and TO dis
eases arising from hadly-ventilated stables
and filth. We have frequently seen. even
in the same establishment, some remark
able contrasts presented between the sta
bles IN which the saddle and carriage Lor-
ses were kept and those in the next ward
which were devoted II the accommodation
OF the horses employed on the farm In
the one case there was light. air. and per-
feet cleanliness in the other, darkness a
total want OF ventilation and a consequent
abundance of impure air. rendered worse
by the presence OF accumulated filth.
which sent forth it. noXious aud Irritating
vapors- Why such distinction should be
allowed 70 exist we have felt at 4 loss to
know for certainly If pure air. light. and
cleanliness were considered essential for
the health OF the animals used for purpo.-
IS OF show, or luxury. or amusement,
Those matters were surely no less ueedful
in the cause OF the patient drud.es of the
farm.
The same rrinrfnies arp anuIfrahle ..
the other classes OF domesticaied animals
Disease is seldom absent from the crowd
ed sheds OF the city dairymeu. and even in
the country districts, msladies, which are
more or less fatal, prevail among live stock,
and for the most part II the facts OF the
case are known. these diseases may be
traced To causes which might have been
prevented from occurring, or. II naturally
existent. could be removed. 1t was proved
that even the much and justly dreaded
rnderpest could be prevented. when prop
er precautions were used and Ii /, now 4
well known matter OF fact that the intro
duction and subsequent spread OF that for
midAble maady was surely owing TO the
neglect or disregard or such precau' iouary
measures A. were necessary by those who
alone had the power TO enforce them.
We do not make these remarks with the
intention OF entering into details regard
ing the origin oil the long catalogue OF
mslsdies TO which our domestic animals
are subjected. We are DESTROYS, however
that the attention OF our readers should be
turned 10 the important topics at which We
have merely limited. believing. a. We do.
that much may be done to prevent disease
by attention TO simple points OF manage
ment, which are under the control OF every
one. Neglect Of such matters prove
very eItrayagant indulgence. when the re-
suits are taken into consideration; and for
this reason alone we may clearly see how
true it Is that " prevention Is better than
cure. Irish FurmeF.