Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1877-10-25
LIV T STOCK.
rHF SIGNS OF HEALTH In .syocK.

AilSsG atAA ~
tute the only indications of health or dis
ease, a diiigent study and a close observa-
ton of animal life under different ,circum-
stances and surroundings, or while the va
rious organs of the animal body--each in its
proper sphere andsselation, have an occasion
to exercise their functions, constitute the
only thing which enables lis to sdecide
whether an animal enjoys full health or not
These observations, therefore. must be
made outdoors and indoors, in the pasture
and in the stable, while the animal us con-
summing its food and while the same is at
work. awhile AT rest and while excited, etc
An experienced observer will sHlus be able
toediscouer deviatians from a perfect state of
health, before any plain symptoms of dis
case lave made their appearance.
Some .af the signs indicating a state of
good Aeaiis are, ef course, Of much greater
importance tl,ana. ~etters, and, as their pres
.ence is usually sufficient to remove any
doubt whether an animals health is good
,eaangh for the purpose for which 1t is kept
or net. it will not be necessary to enumer-
ate AID the signs or indications by which
good health may manifest its presence. 10
anention the principal and most conspicu-
GUS one will suffice.
c OF TaR BOD y
The skin of 4 healthy animal is soft and
mellow, clean, or free Grem scurfs and old
epidermis-scales, and presents, if SCOT pig
mented or naturally dark colored, a pink or
pale-rose-red color The eeAt of hair is
sleek, GLOSSY, smooth, and is shed at the
proper time. If the a,aifaal is a sheep, the
wool is soft. glossy. elastic and Grm. The
condition of skin and hair is the eaore .inpor-
tant as it constitutes one OF the most con-
spicuous signs indicative ofa state of coed
health. Animals which do not shed their
coat of hair, when the proper season has ar
rived, OH which the skin presents 3 dry,
stiff, inelastic, tight, or hideSbounu7 ap-
pcarance, aud is covered witia scurfs or cpl
dermis-scales, or exhibits, if not pigmented,
any other than a pink color, are decidedly
not healthy. Neither are animals which
lose their hair out Of season, nor sheep
which Lore their wool. Even hogs, which
lose their hair or bristles in consequence OF
being fattened, cannot be considered AS be-
ing perfectly healthy in q strict sense, be-
cause the loosening and losing Q fthe hair or
bristles are caused by a fatty lmorbid) de-
generation of the bulbs or roots Of the hair.
The tenn p~erature OF the body is uniform
in a healthy animal, with an exception OF
the extremities-the feet, the horns, and
the ears-whicl are usually a little colder.
than the rest of the body. III healthy cat
tie, the broad tip of the nose and che upper
lip, or muzzle, are always moist (sweating)
and cooL Dryness and warmth ia those
parts indicate fever and disease. A certain
degree of corpnlence is also Q requisite of
good health. Illuminating animals must
present a spacious, well-rounded stomach;
and horses with a gaunt body, hollow
TANKS, and thin belly. are suspicious OF ILL
health or, at any rate, of a poor digestion.
rsai THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS.
A healthy animal manitests q vigorous
appetite, eats its meals regularly, greedily,
and will usually not refuse to take some IA
vorite food after its appetite has been per
fectly satisfied. Greedy eating, and a corr
responding secretion of saliva, are good
signs; but slow and timid chewing with
.long teeth" and a kind of squashing
soulid. are suspicious indications. A hank
ering after and disgusting or
loathsone things such as wet litter, manure,
dirt, etc., manifested often by licking dirty
walls, managers, etc., and a preference OF
such things TO good and wholesome food,