Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1877-10-27


Gently stated in Western paper that
the loss of hogs in one county in one
year, from the disease known as hog
cholera, amounted to 50, 100000. While
this statement is undoubtedly extrava-
CANT, yet the facts are such that many
persons readily accept statements Of
this kind rs the truth. There is no
doubt that the losses of sheep, swine
and cattle, that might be prevented by
proper precautions and care, amount to
one-fifth of the whole value of these
classes of stock. One hundred million
of dollars yearly would not more than
cover these losses. The greatest mis-
fortune is that much disease is spread
by infection and contagion among herds
and flocks that would otherwise escape.
Animals are subject to all the danger
Gus influences which affect the health of
human beings. Miasma, malaria, ex-
posure to sudden and severe changes of
temperature the consumption of in
nutritious or indigestible food or inn
pure water; overlooking, un-
derfeeding, or irregular feeding;
exposure TO foul air or filth--all these
affect mans beasts as quickly as they
would injuriously affect himself. The
instinct of self-preservatiOn and the
well known results of these causes tend
greatly to secure mankind from danger
from them, and where the individual
fails to preserve himself the public safe
4 ty prompts effective legal measures to
compel him to observe proper .precaR
tions. But as regards our domestic an
finals, when an individual fails to pre-
serve his own property it is only in
few cases that any legal provisions
are in force for the protection of that of
his neighbOrs. Thus, disease among
cattle of all kinds may spread uncheck-
ed through an extensive district from
one seed-bed of pestilence and conta-
gion. 1t is time that this risk which
farmers are obliged to encounter should
be removed. We do not propose, how
ever, at this time to consider this, view
of the case, but only to offer some sug-
gestions which are pertinent at this sea-
son for the preservation of the health of
animals that may be exposedi to dan
ger. 70
The present season is peculiarly full
of risk 1t is one when sudden changes
of temperature occur; when the surface
soil is highly charged with decomposing
vegetable matter, the gases from which
are absorbed by water or mingled with
the atmosphere, and thus have an active
effect upon the systems of animals; and,
also, a period when the heritage is hard,
innutritious, indigestible, or positively
hurtful from partial decomposition. The
stratum Of air resting upon meadows
and pastures, either drained or undrain-
ed, but more particularly those in the
latter condition, is filled with miasmatic
or malarial germs which are breathed
by animals and enter into their circula-
ton. The water they drink is also
highly charged with these minute de-
structive organisms. Although these
may not of themselves in all cases in
duce disease directly, yet they enfeeble
the vitality and create more sensitive
condition, in which animals become an
easy prey to contagion or infection.
Human beings under these circum-
stances avoid all dangerous or deleteri-
Gus articles of food or drink; they ven
tilate, disinfect, and purify their dwell
ings; they observe caution as to changes
OF clothing and fortify themselves with
medicines or tonics against the ap-
proaehes of disease, and avoid with the
greatest care all danger of contagion.
But what owners of animals observe
these precautions? Very few, if any
Nothing is done until the animal is
stricken, and then the worst has already
happened. To treat an animal that
gives no sign until it is at the point of
death is useless.
There is no help for these cases but
in precaution. Ii such sanitary rules
are observed in the stables and yards as
are practiced in dwellings the danger Of