The Farmer's Veterinarian: A Practical Treatise on the Diseases of Farm StockBurkett, Charles William
Science
The Farmer's Veterinarian: A Practical Treatise on the Diseases of Farm Stock
Burkett, Charles William
Veterinary medicine
Most diseases have been carefully studied, and their course of
development has been mapped out. Our veterinarians know, in a general
way, how fever acts in live stock. If an animal is inoculated with
Texas fever germs, the veterinarian knows the course of the disease
beforehand. In a general way, he knows when the fever will begin, how
long it will last, when it will be at its highest point, and when it
will disappear. He knows all of this, even before he makes the
inoculation. Yet no disease invariably runs the same course in different
individuals. In fact, the virulence of bacteria have much to do with the
course; mild cases occur usually when the germ is weak, and severe cases
when the germs are very virulent. This explains why some attacks of
measles or Texas fever or hog cholera are more fatal than other attacks
in other places, or at other seasons of the year.
=Typical Courses the Rule.=--It is in rare cases only that a regular
course is not followed by most diseases. Take an infectious disease. The
period of incubation comes first; this follows up the infection. During
this period, no change in the animal is observed. He seems well, acts
well, and does his work well. Nevertheless, all the time, during this
period of infection, the germs are developing, multiplying, gaining
headway, and so entrenching themselves that illness and disorder will
soon follow. The period of infection varies in different animals and in
different diseases. It may take two or three weeks for development, or
as few as two or three days.
Following the period of infection comes the period of eruption. At this
stage the typical characteristics are observed. At the next step the
disease reaches its height with the animal under its complete dominion.
But only temporarily. If properly nursed and treated, with most
diseases, the animal will pass through the period and recover.
The final stage is the period of improvement. The battle that has been
waged between the body and the disease is now about ended. The disease
germs have been routed and the body has been victorious. All that now
remains is the clearing away of the débris. In this case it is scattered
throughout the body system. The damage that has been done is to be
repaired and left, if possible, as near to the original condition, as
the nature of the disease will allow. The period of improvement will
vary in different diseases and in different animals. Recovery may occur
in a few days, in some cases, and in others weeks and months will be
required. A change of feed or pasture or work is usually necessary if
the most rapid recovery would be had. In some cases, nothing other than
absolute rest will suffice.
THE TERMINATION OF DISEASES
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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