The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1919-02-05
Prevent LOSSES
OF live STOCK
Three-Fourths of a $500, O00, GOO
Loss by Disease and Acct
dent Is PreventabIe.
PROPER Care is NECESSARY
Closer Cooperation Between Owners
and Those in Position to Give AS
sistance Needed to Control
Different Ailments

Losses of live stock from diseases,
accident and other causes. probably
three-fourths of which are preventable
by proper preventive measures and
modern veterinary practice, amount TO
enormous sums each year-ir 1915
they were estimated as reaching S2I2.-
100000. This sum, say Specialists of
the United States department Of agEf-
culture, would supply the entire Amer
lean expeditionary force Of 100000
men with meat for nearly year. To
these losses may be added others
which, though indirect. are neyerthe-
less as important The discourage
ment of stock raising is one indirect
loss, aud this in turn retards the de
velopment of diversified agriculture.
Cooperation Needed
Although much is being accomplish
ed in the control and eradication Of
destructive animal diseases. the best
results can he fully realized only
through closer cooperation between
the live stock owner and those who
are in position to give him assistance
The stockmen who fail TO realize the
necessity of fighting the unseen enc
mics of live stock by sanitation and
the use of modern preventive methods
that science has provided must be
made to see the Importance and profit
which will come as n result of chang
ing their conditions. A better under
standing of feeds and feeding prac-
tees viii prevent many of the common
disorders of the digestive and respira-
| tory tracts which are common among
all classes of live stock. Losses from
such accidents as horn wounds,
bruises, wire cuts. harness sores, and
| broken legs. in most instances. are
properly chargeable to neglect or care
| lessness.
The selection of breeds adapted to
| the climate and local conditions under
which they must exist, as well as the
selection for the foundation stock, is
important in maintaining health
/ Heavy beef and dairy types are better
suited to Withstand the trying condi
lions of cold climates. while the light
! 6ls ND itcSllA snI0ctlS ttiIEAt 5DGII1f III
warmer localities. Mountain types are
better adapted for billy grazing lands.
| close-wooled sheep for cold regions.
end the open-fleeeed breeds for warm
er climates.
In purchasing stock it is advisable
to find out what attention the seller
gives 70 the health Of his animals.
i Consult some of his customers. If he
is openly opposed TO the tuberculin
test, for example, or objects to the
physical examination of horses for
| soundness by qualified veterinarian,
it may be for purely selfish motives.
/ As soon as animals are suspected
OF being affected with disease, especi-
ally If it is thought to be a communi-
cable disease. they should be separated
from healthy animals and be held in
quarantine until this condition has
j been determined and remedied.
| The proper handling of animals has
an important bearing upon maintain
ing their health and resistance to dis
/ eases. Good equipment and high-grade
stock are not enough. The animals
should be handled by an attendant, whe
has certain natural qualifications fol
his work
Every state agricultural college
maintains II corps of specialists who
are willing and well qualified to hell
stoefgnen promote the health of theii
live stock. THE United States depart
ment If agriculture is constantly Civ
ing out Important information in tht
form Of bulletins which are available
on request, and in every state has rep
| r2scntatisess etnnloyed in combating an