Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-09-08
The New Cattle Disease.


tion we have in relation to the nature
and symptoms of the disease. The
facts given are interesting in relation
to the cause of the disease. We do
not place implicit faith in the theories.
At a meeting of the Chicago Pork
packers Association on the 4th inst,
Prof. John Gamgee, principal of the
Albert Veterinary College, London,
made the following statement:
Our late Investigations at Farina,
Cairo. and elsewhere enable me to
give you tolerably complete account
of the symptoms and post mortem ap-
pearance of animals affected with thi0
disease
'1n the first place, the general as
pect of the sick OK or cow is peculiar.
With dropping head, arched neck, hol-
low 1anks, dull looking or staring coat,
there is an appearance of great de-
lection. The pulse is frequent, some
times full and at others thready; du-
ring the latter stages of the disease
it is so frequent and small as not to
be easily taken at the jaw. The Sc
cretions are checked with the excep
ton of some glary mucuous from the
nose, and very high colored urine,
which is often retained in great abund
ance, and for some length of time, in
the over-distended bladder. The Sc
cretion of milk is suspended in cows
from the earliest stages. There is
costiveness. but this is readily over
come by medicine, and even by spe-
cial diet. The breathing is usually
frequent and sometimes painting. The
temperature of the body rises to 1O7
degrees, 108 degrees, and 1O9 de-
grees Fahrenheit, and nothing is more
remarkable than the early and very
marked elevation of animal heat.
OF all the symptoms none are more
remarkable than the trembling and
twitchingS of muscles, and the un-
steady gait Of the affected animals.
In the advanced stages of the disease,
when the OK or cow lies down, there
is no difficulty in rising from partial
paralysis of the hind-quarters; and
the first indication OF this interference
with the functions OF the hind limbs
is their being drawn slightly under
the belly, and the fetlock joints slight
" bent as i'll other acute diseases OF
cattle. But the partial paralysis
sometimes involves the fore legs, and
we have noticed what psychologists
would call defective coordination of
movement from implication of the
/ lesser brain in the disease. We have
been told of some patients manifest
ing signs OF 0enrlum. the animals
die usually in from three days to
week
In the first place the malady fol-
= lows the track of Texas cattle, and
: is not found beyond. The Texas cat
tie are themselves healthy, and we
have failed yet to see a diseased one.
Native cattle do not communicate the
disease TO other native cattle and
sucking calves continue to suckle their
: sick mothers without contracting the
disease. In one case a calf sucked
its dam till the latter died; it was
then placed with a COW that also died,
and lastly, with a third one that sue
cumbed too, without indicating the
slightest symptoms Of i'll health.
In laying before you a theory of
; the origin of this disease, | am
strengthened by facts which | have
CLEANED during Investigations of simi-
lar disorders in Europe.
About spring time and early sum-
mer, in all probability, the Texan cat
tie eat as our own do in some parts
Of Scotland, the young, succulent
shoots of peculiar trees, highly charg-
ed with restringent principles. On
unbroken ground, highly charged
with moisture, and adjoining wood
I lands, there are, as the hot weather
sets in, many things sprouting which
$ animals will not touch later in the
t. season; and in the mottS of Texas
there is the live oak, which grows in
the Gulf States, where indeed cattle
are reared, which have been known
in times past to disseminate this dis
: order, for the cattle of Florida are as
dangerous north of a certain line as
: the steers of Texas From this pecu-
u liar feed, therefore, the animals get
. their system impregnated with mate
7 rials which do not destroy the stock
, accustomed to special living in a
. given latitude, but which, being thrown
off In the urine and the excrement,
! induce the "black water" or peculiar
} form of ''enzootic h8maturia," which
, is now killing the cattle of this and
adjoining states.
1t is probable that in accordance
: with my suggestion we have a ready
i means of purifying stock on the
: frontier by keeping them for awhile
4 on special food, administering medi-
: cines, and carefully disinfecting all
u the excreta they deposite.
> Mr.. Richardson, another member
u of the commission, believes the dis
10 ease to be of such a character that
: when a complete knowledge of it is
7 had, this (Texas) stock can be ham
, : died with perfect safety under proper
!, management and regulations. But
= he advises the adoption of measures
! to keep these Texas cattle isolated
{ from all other stock, and to cease
! ! moving them for the present.
Ir Al, 4..a- &C III ..-..- VIII L -