As we look to the turn of the century, many new theories and technologies are evolving to help us succeed in decreasing the onset of diarrheal disease or diminishing its impact on the neonatal bovine. This discussion will focus on many of these disease agents. The bovine practitioner must realize that definitive work on applied use of many of these factors (e.g. "field studies") is not yet under way. Existing products of which the authors are aware will be mentioned, but should not be interpreted as an endorsement. They are mentioned to provoke thought and provide information about potontial future therapies that may be used to bring further success in therapy and prevention of diarrheal disease. We would first like to discuss agents that alter the ability of enteropathogens to colonize the gut or adhere to the gut through interference of mucosal binding. The second part of this paper will discuss our greater comprehension of new elements of oral rehydration solution (ORS) therapy. We will describe our efforts to manipulate these solutions to enhance net absorption of water and increase the healing of the damaged intestinal villus.