Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1883-11-08
Exercise.

BY this term we commonly under
stand the amount OF bodily motor
necessary to maintain the proper circu
lation of the fluids, and to impart tna1
degree of activity which the natura
condition Of the animal body requires
Exercise is the contrary of repose, ant
without either of these, the animal ma
chine would soon be DESTROYED. II
greatly assists the insensible transpira-
ton, the most abundant of all the secre
tons, and keeps off number of dis.
eases depending upon the superabun
dance OF the fluids, their impurity OF
stagnation, engagements or obstruc
tons of the viscera. Far from dimin
ishing the animal forces, it teammates
them; a languishing appetite is re.
stored, and the consequences of exer-
else are reflected throughout the entire
vital economy. The influence of exer-
else upon fecundity and longevity are
very often unfruitful, while a long-con.
tinued repose frequently leads te
obesity, which again induces impotence
and often death. These are not the
only consequences of continued want
of exercise. Their limbs are deprived
of that play or spring necessary in pre-
serving all the parts of the body in their
state of health.
| Exercise should, however, be regular
and moderate. Very violent labor NAV
affect all the organs, and render the
stature d'minutive. Hence all excess in
this respect should be avoided if posi-
bic, especially during the growing pc
Rod of life. The domestic animals re-
quire much attention in respect to their
lodgings. When in their wild state,
they are constantly in the open air; in
their domesticated condition they are
often distracted from it. This essential
difference necessarily affects the condi-
tons OF their existence; and, in proper
ton as they are brought nearer to their
natural state, their health becomes inn
proved, while an opposite course OF
treatment may be attended with the
most fatal consequences.
Our most useful domestic ANIMALS are
often confined in narrow stables, which
are perhaps rather in urious than bene-
fetal, from their vicious construction
and perniciouS arrangement. A knowl-
edge of these defects has suggested the
idea of exposing the animals continually
in the open air; but the persons acting
in accordance with this idea do not per-
ceive that in avoiding one error they
fall. as frequently happens, into another
not less important. When in their wild
state animals are always in the open a r,
it is true, but it does not follow that
they are continually exposed to the
weather, which is very different cir
cumstance of their condition. In their
native haunts they always endeavor to
withdraw themselves from excuses of
every kind, whether of heat or cold,
mOiGture or dryness, as well as from
storms, tempestS, violent winds, or the
attacks of their enemies, while they are
free to change, whenever they please,
either their place or position. 1t there
fore becomes serious error, through
inattentiOn to these circumstances, to
expose domestic animals to the inclem-
encies of the weather, without the
slightest shelter, for the mere purpose
of avoiding the common disadvantage
of stable. We have often seen focks of
sheep shut up III narrow lot, exposed
in winter to the frost, in summer to the
sun, in spring and autumn to excessive
moisture, and in all seasons to the sud-
den changes of the atmosphere. and
consequently to the most sudden altera-
tons of temperature. The natural con-
sequences of this mismanaoement have
invariably followed, while their undue
mortality and Impoverished condition
fully demonstrated that animals exposed
to all kinds of weather are far from
being in that state of nature to which it
was intended to reduce them. Their
amelioration, their prosperity, and even
their existence, are compromised as
much by this injudicious treatment as
they would have been by the most con-
fined, uncleanly and RECONSTRUCTED
stable.
1t is no doubt true that we should
endeavor to bring animals to real state
of nature, and place the enjoyments of
liberty and fresh air as much as possible
within their reach. Yet this can only
be done effectually by giving them the
power, whenever circumstances permit,
of going alternately, under cover or in
the field. by having some inclosed space
where they can be free to move. and
with a sufficient number of retreats or
sheltered spots, to which they can re-
sort ut those times, when there is more
real Inconvenience and disadvantage in
being without than within. This is the
only legitimate way in which we can
approximate the domestic animals
to their natural condition.-Prdirie
Fd lnler.