The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-04-11
Acclimation Of Animals.


In the distribution of animals over
other portions of the globe than those
in which their breed originated. the eff
fects of climate and food must neces-
sarily have produced a great change in
their habits, size and other essential
characteristics. This in its broadcast
sense may be called acclimation. If a
domestic animal be taken from one
place to another, in which there is any
considerable difference in climate. it
will usually be affected in appetite and
health, and grow thin and weak; but if
it survives and regains its former condi-
ton it is said to have become accli-
mated. This SO seldom happens to any
considerable degree. that when it does
occur it may be considered the excep-
ton to a general rule; but the animal
may so nearly regain health rs to be
able to reproduce it's kind, in which
case its offspring usually appear better
adapted to the locality than the parent,
| and after few generations, the breed.
| race. or species, as the case may be, be-
come not only acclimated, but natural
| lied, the influence of climate and food
producing more or less change in the
original type.
1t has been observed as one of the eff
fects of a change of climate that
when cattle are taken froma cold
to q warm climate the pulse
increases in rapidity. A gain
of from ten 10 twenty-five beats min
ute is often seen, proportionately in
creasing the circulation of the blood,
which must necessarily produce serious
changes in the arteries and the whole
physical system. To avoid injurious
effects under such circumstances, ami
mails should be sheltered from the sun,
receive food of the least heat producing
kind, and be kept from all excitement
and rapid movements. Cattle, sheep
and horses, taken from the Northern to
the Southern States, are often turned
out to pasture, where they find grasses
and other food plants very different
| from those they were accustomed to eat
at the North. This of itself is enough to
seriously affect their health, and it usu.
ally does, sometimes even causing
death. The most heating and hearty
kind OF grain that we raise is Indian
corn, and this is more generally fed to
animals in warm climates than in cold.
simply because it is most easily raised
in hot climates: but it is far from being
the best to feed to animals undergoing
what is usually termed acclimation.
The changes should be Gradual and the
shock as light as possible, for the most
that can be hoped for when animals are
moved from one extreme of climate TO
another is to keep them in sufficient
health to bear offspring. by iudiciOus So
lectious from which animals may final.
" be obtained that are adapted to and
will thrive under the new conditions.
ANY considerable variation in climate
often results in steriliry: this, oil
course. puts an end to further
advance toward perfect acclima-
ton, which, as rule. is never
attained except at a loss in some di-
rection. The Spanish cattle imported
into Mexico and South America were
subjected to but slight changes in eli
mate, and were consequently quickly
acclmated; but the improved breeds OF
more northern climates have made but
slight progress. and succeed poorly in
warmer countries. The light-footed
Spanish cattle still hold their own in
South America, Mexico and Texas, and
the heavy shOrt-horns and other inn
proved breeds make little progress in
the warmer climates of the South.
Acclimation, when accomplished at
all. must necessarily be a very slow
process, depending mainly upon selec-
tons OF offspring that show tendency
to adapt themselves to the changed con-
ditions. With all the attempts made to
carry out the principles underlying the
theory OF acclimatiOn, no tender animal
has been made hardy by carrying it
from a warm to a cold climate, nor are
the natives of cold ones rendered
less susceptible to the enervaiing in
| fiuences OF heat than when first sub
| jected to it. Acclimation, 50 far the
experience of centuries has shown, is
merely kind OF adaptation OF peculiar
races. breeds and species of animals to
certain conditions, and these may be
more var ed sometimes within an area of
one hundred square miles than when the
animals are removed greater d stances
/ to similar localit es. For example, low,
heavy, short-legged animals are I'M
sui ed to billy countries. where they
have to climb rugged sleeps and travel
far for their food; but they may be well
adapted to the valleys among these hills.
while an entirely fierent breed,
brought from a distance. would beat
them in gathering food from the adj
jacent hills AMI mountains.
From scientific point of view. or in
the full meaning of the word, acclima-
ton has not proved to be so potent for
/ Increasing the number or value Of do
! meslic animals in any country rs it was
/ thought to promise when first attempted
although with more experience and
closer attention in selecting the indi.
viduals possessing the characteristics
sought, better results may follow.
| Y. San.