Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1869-02-27
TAKE CARE OF THE CATTLE.

1t is probably known that the present
Commissioner of Agriculture has en-.
gagged Professor Gamgce, the eminent
English veterinarian, so we'll known for
his services in combating and extermi.
mating the rinderpest in Great Britain,
to make Investigations into the diseases
of American cattle, with the object of
securing his large experience in such
matters; frat, to show wha. diseases
actually exist, and next, to point out
the means of arresting and extirpating
them. Much Of last summer was spent
by Professor Gamgce in studying the
Texas or Western cattle disease, and he
is about to proceed to Texas in q few
weeks, for the purpose Of examining into
the conditions existing there, under
which cattle, apparently perfectly
healthy when they leave that country,
become diseased after travelling north
ward. 4 favorite theory with many ro-
fers the prime agency to a microscopic
fungus growing in the grass of northern
Texas, and this possible cause will be
carefully looked into. The lung disease,
however, is entirely different in its char
aeter, and comes to us, according to q
recent report of Professor Gnmgce to
the Agricultural Department, from the
Eastern Hemisphere, where it has been
known under one name or other from
the earliest times, although only towards
and from the beginning Of the present
century was its character distinctly as
certained. Very destructive in Franco,
Belgium and Holland, it was not until
imported from these countries that it
reached England, about 1912. It first
make its appearance in America in ls43,
when a German COW, taken from ship
board into n Brooklyn cattle yard,
started tho disease, which has continued
in the vicinity of New York ever since,
and Is reported rs very prevalent at the
present time. In 1859, it became i'm
planted in New England, and for many
years vigorous efforts were made by the
State Of Massachusetts to extirpate it ;
and by the adoption Of restrictive meas
ures, such as destroying all infected
animals, (the State paying part Of their
value) and using other means, the dis
case, in 1867, was officially reported as
entirely eradicated.
Certain portions of Maryland, the
Distric. of Columbia and Virginia, are
at the present time suffering under the
iufiction, and it appears to be making
its way towards the South and West.
1t moves along the lines of cattle travel,
and is propagated from diseased to
healthy stock by the breath. 1t is in
crcasing in our country, in the absence
of any general laws in regard to the
sale of stock, and unless prompt and
suitable measures are taken, Prof. Gam
gee assures us in his report to the Com
missioner that it may attain u magni-
tudc and dcs,ructivencss more fatal to
our interests than the rinderpest was to
Great Britain within II few years past.
The symptoms of the disease we need
not detail, as they will be found stated
at length in the agricultural text books.
The remedies are few the judicious
use of certain preparations Of iron (;
complete isolation ofsuspccted animals ;
their destruction, if incurably diseased,
and the incubation Of healthy animals
exposed to the danger. The diseased
lung. discharges matter into tho ada
cent cavities, sometimes to the extent
of many pounds in weight. This carried
out BY the breath Of the sick animal is
inhaled by others, which, taking the
fever, in timo show similar symptoms.
4 quantity of this virus, when inject
oil under the skin, produces the disease
artifcially, but remains in the sub-cuta-
neous tissues without affecting the lungs
or apparently without injuring the
health or condition of the animal in any
way. The application is generally made
about an inch or two from the end Of
the tail, a few drops applied through a
st~ecl-pointed syringe being sufficient.
While incubation is not advisable, uu-
less there is reason to believe that the
disease is actually in the neishborhood,
Prof. Gamgcc urges that it be practiced
at once upon the entire herd whenever
the danger approaches, bearing in mind
that some time is required before tho
syst,m becomes sufficiently fortified