Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1875-12-23
Diseases of Farm Stock.

DomestIcated animals are necessarily
placed under unnatural conditions which,
without due precaution on the part of
their keepers, are likely to produce dis
ease. The climate in which animals are
torcibly kept is frequently far more severe
than the one in which they were originally
found, or the one they would select if
left to their own instincts. Animals which
have been bred for centuries upon high,
dry plains, in warm climates, are taken to
those of directly opposite character, and
then, very likely, their owners expect TO
rear them without atiording artificial food
and protection sufficient to compensate for
losses sustained by change of locality.
Horses from Africa and sheep from Spain
are expected to endure the rigors of an
arctic climate, and establishment is often
expressed if they fail to do So without be-
coming diseased. We think, however,
the greatest cause for wonderment is that
our domesticated animals, as a rule are
capable of enduring as great hardships as
they do.
The principal argument advanced
against the reforms proposed by our most
thorough and enlightened breeders of DO
mesticated animals is that they are unnat-
ural, and therefore useless, if not positively
injurious. Giving warm stables, cutting,
grinding and cooking food, all come un-
der this head of unnatural processes. But
rs the very first step taken toward the
domestication of any animal was an I'M
natural one, as well ss the greater number
OF those which followed, it must be plain
to every reasonable person that strict lines
of demarcation between art and nature
cannot be drawn at the present day.
Whether it be "a wide departure from nat
ural surrounding circumstances or lack
OF providing the actual necessaries and
comforts of life, the fact is everywhere APP
parent that all kinds of stock are subject
TO diseases which do not affect them in a
wild state, at least so lar as we know their
history
Demonstration appears to be accompa-
MED by diseases OF peculiar class, and
while it may not be possible with our
present knowledge of their nature to
wholly prevent them, much may be done
in that direction. Believing in the Old
adage that prevention is better than cure,
we will name few OF the most common
diseases of farm stock and their known or
supposed origin:
HOOP ROT IN SHEEP.
This disease has long been known
among 0oCkS lnndOluhg low, mdrsHy
regions of country, hu, it often spreads by
innoculation among those inhabiting high
and dry lands, if they tread over land
formerly occupied by diseased animals.
TO prevent this disease, keep the animals
upon dry lands, and avoid herding at
night on a damp, spongy soil. In winter
see that the yards are well Uttered with
coarse hay, straw, or other materials
which will prevent injury 10 the feet
through excessive cold or moisture. \
severe bruise or even slight laceration Of
the flesh of the foot, if not attended 10,
may eventually develop this very trouble
some disease
DISEASES or THE SKIN.
These are numerous, but probably the
most common is the one generally known
a. scah.n or " Itch Ii is caused by
minute species OF mite or GcHr1LS, which
pene,rates the skin and burrows beneath
H. This pest seldom attacks healthy
iochs which are properly cared for, bur IS
usually found among those half-starved
animals which are left exposed 10 all sorts
Of weather during winter and summer.
Abundance of good food and shelter in
cold or stormy weather are the best pre-
yentives Of scab in sheep.