After the disease has run its course, the body usually returns to its former normal condition. There seems to be a limit to what the disease can do. A healthy body may be attacked, but, in the end, disease retires, having used itself up. There are diseases, however, that leave their marks in many ways. And these become permanent marks. With many of these all of us are acquainted. Smallpox is one. The pits over the face record the fierce battle that was fought. The same is true of wasted tissues, with scars that conspicuously mark the track along which blood poison has traveled. The shrunken hoof of the foundered horse tells the adverse termination of that disease. While recovery may be more or less complete, the effect is to seriously injure the worth and value of the individual. There is a long list of this kind. [Illustration: RESULT OF BONE SPAVIN Pictured here is a natural hock free from disease and a diseased hock, the result of bone spavin. The bone is seriously affected and the easy action prevented.] Other diseases act differently in another way. They progress slowly, are not noticeable at first, but in the end are incurable. Take glanders as a typical case. It quietly and silently develops, often taking months or years in reaching the stage of eruption or before it becomes apparent. During all this time, and even after the disease is recognizable, the animal goes on about his duties with no apparent trouble. The disease, however, is progressing all the time; in the end it conquers its victim, the final stages are reached, and the animal dies. The stock raiser is concerned with different diseases in so far as they mean slow or rapid recovery, and particularly if they be contagious or not. His entire herd will be impaired if glanders is introduced into it. One tuberculosis cow will convey the disease to all susceptible individuals in the herd to which she belongs, especially if stabled in a tight barn during the winter seasons when little or no ventilation is intentionally provided. CHAPTER IX Diagnosis and Treatment of Disease Some diseases are not difficult to diagnose. Those resulting from wounds or knocks are easily located, and their treatment readily outlined. Others, however, are not so easy. Something is observed as wrong, the animal acts strangely, does not take to its food, is fretful, stands or walks unnatural--what is the matter? The stockman must ascertain the trouble, and the quicker the better. A review of the past few days is desirable. Where has the animal been? What kind of food has it had? With what strange fellows has it associated? Has it been put to excessive work or exposed to unusual weather or conditions? What infectious diseases are prevalent in the community? These and other questions will occur; in some instances the answer will be at hand. MAKE A PHYSICAL EXAMINATION