Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1883-11-09
Exercise.

by this term we commonly under.
stand the amount of bodily motion
necessary to maintain the proper circu-
lation of the fluids, and to impart that
degree of activity which the natural
condition of the animal body requires.
Exercise is the contrary of repose, and
without either of these, the animal ma
chine would soon be DESTROYED. 1t
greatly assists the insensible transpira-
ton, the most abundant of all the secre-
tons, and keeps off a number of dis
eases depending upon the superabun-
dance of the fluids, their impuriiy or
stagnation, engagements or obstruc-
tons of the viscera. Far from dimin-
ishing the animal forces, it teammates
them; 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 long-con-
tinued repose frequently leads to
obesity, which again induces impotence
and often death. These are not the
only consequences of a 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 may
affect all the organs, and render the
stature diminutive. Hence all excess in
this respect should be avoided if posi-
bic, especially during the growing pc
riod 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 i'm
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 injurious than bene-
hcial, 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
notices. important. When in their wild
state animals are always in the open ar,
1t 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,
moisture 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 a stable. We have often seen fiocks of
sheep shut up In 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 il
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-
hned, uncleanly and RECONSTRUCTED
stable.
1t il no doubt true that we shoulE
endeavor to bring animals to real state
Oh nature. and place the eniovments of
hoerty and fresh air as much as possible
within their reach. Yet this can only
De done effectually by giving them tho
power, whenever circumstances hermit.
OF going alternately, under cover or In
the held. BY having some inclosed space
where they can be free to move, and
w'tn sufficient number of retreats or
sheltered spots, to which they can re-
SON at those times, when there Is more
real Inconvenience and disadvantage IN
being without than within. This K tbs
only legitimate way in which wa can
approximate the domestic animals
% their natural condition. Prairs<
Faszser.